How to increase my platelet count naturally

[SarahBa]

Hello, I am undergoing chemotherapy (Carboplatin) for stage 1c2 ovarian cancer (endometrioid epithelial) and was told today my platelet count is too low and unfortunately my chemo will be delayed by a week and fingers crossed my platelet count will have increased by next week so that I can have my chemo.

Since my hysterectomy my CA125 has decreased from 157 (prior to my hysterectomy) to the teens now and was told today all my other levels were OK. The hospital said it's the chemo that has caused my platelet count to drop.

I was wondering if anybody knows of anything I can do to naturally increase my platelet count as I don't wish my chemo to be delayed again. Are there certain foods I should try and eat more of? I should add I don't drink alcohol (so that is not causing it to drop) and I don't have a sugary diet either.

Thank you for any help and advice.

[Lovedogs41]

Hi

Eat lots of fresh papaya fruit,you can also get papaya leaf extract and papaya tea but I believe eating it fresh is best.Also pomegranates.

Hope it helps x

[SarahBa in reply to Lovedogs41]

Thank you for your helpful reply x

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team in reply to SarahBa]

Hello SarahBa

I’m really sorry to learn from your post that a low platelet count has put your chemotherapy on hold. Carboplatin can indeed cause a drop in the number of platelets in your blood, but as you’ve mentioned above, this is usually something that recovers with time.

Regarding papaya extract, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre have a database of information about many herbs and supplements, with more details about papaya leaf available here: mskcc.org/cancer-care/integ...

This explains that ‘Although papaya leaf extract may increase platelet count in patients with dengue fever, evidence is lacking. More study is needed on dosing, safety, and effectiveness before it can be used for this purpose’. This resource also states ‘Do not take if you are a cancer patient or have low platelet counts: More needs to be known about dosing, safety, effectiveness, and adverse effects in humans’.

If you’re looking to learn more about your platelet count, a conversation with your clinical nurse specialist or another member of your clinical team should be able to offer personalised advice and guidance.

I hope your platelets recover soon. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like to talk things through. You can message us directly via this forum or call our support line on 0800 008 7054. We’re here Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm, to discuss queries, provide information or just have a friendly chat.

Best wishes

Annie

Ovacome support

[Lovedogs41 in reply to OvacomeSupport]

Eating fresh fruit is always good though!

[organicinna in reply to SarahBa]

And red grapes I v heard ! )) xx

[SUE7777]

Green leafy Vegetables, Liver and Beef. Liver and Beef are hard to digest so be careful. Your team will keep an eye on you and you will get a blood transfusion if your hemoglobin gets too low. All the best Sue xx

[Duvin1]

I found nothing I do regarding food increases my count had every chemo delayed by a week and they come up. The nurses do say by delaying a week it doesn’t affect the chemo, just puts me out!! Lol. After my fourth chemo they gave me filgastrim injections to do at home for 5 days so will see in two weeks time whether it has done the trick x

[SarahBa in reply to Duvin1]

Hi Duvin1, I already receive Filgrastim injections prior to my chemo and they work for me and increase my white blood cell count.

It is the platelet count that is low this time (which is different to my white blood cell count).

[Duvin1]

Ohhh sorry misunderstood lol. Must be chemo brain!!

[Catfeeder]

Hello SarahBa

I dont have any advice sorry, but given I too had endometrioid epithelial (stage 1c3), surgery and then carboplatin (just finished my last one 31st Dec), I just thought I'd say hi and keep going. 👍 x

[SarahBa in reply to Catfeeder]

Hello Catfeeder, lovely to hear from you and thank you for saying hi. Always good to hear from other women who have had the same diagnosis x

[Catfeeder in reply to SarahBa]

Yes, especially as we have /had the rarer types. Take care x

[SarahBa in reply to Catfeeder]

Yes indeed, I was told that by my consultant that I have a rarer type x

[Ruebacelle]

Well I did Papaya leaf extract tea and pills and it kept athletes up enough to do chemo. Good luck from paris

[Saintgermain]

Hi Sarah I’m in states had my 6th and last Carbo/Paxil in October I did extensive research have been taking Transfer Point Beta Glucan which is the best brand boosts WBC’s and immune system all counts normal not cheap but worth it

[SarahBa in reply to Saintgermain]

Hi Saintgermain, thank you for your extremely helpful reply. I had never heard of Beta Glucan and also note the brand you recommend.

My GP referred me in 2009 to a consultant to investigate why my white blood cell count was low and despite having a bone marrow test and a HIV test (negative) they could not find a cause.

Due to my ovarian cancer diagnosis in November 2021 and being under the treatment of the best cancer hospital in Europe my consultant oncologist wants this investigated again but for the time being I'm having the Filgrastim injections to increase my white blood cell count.

I think it's best if I probably don't purchase the Transfer Point Beta Glucan supplements at the moment as the Filgrastim injections are doing the job to raise my white blood cell count whilst I'm having my chemotherapy and I assume more tests will be undertaken to try to find out my white blood cell count is so low and I don't want to be taking supplements that will interfere with this whilst they wish to monitor my white blood cell count.

Of course if they can't find the cause then going forward I will definitely purchase the Transfer Point Beta Glucan supplements and thank you again for recommending it.