High Platelets

[Hollieby]

My hubby is the sufferer, he is 65 and has had PMR for four years. He started on 15mg of Prednisolone and has had a few up and downs but is currently on 4mg. To be honest I don’t think he had many blood tests in the early days but in the last two years when he has had a full blood count done his platelets have been constantly raised, also a lot of the time so have his monocyte, basophil and neutrophil. On the result we get, the remark from the doctors is “abnormal but expected” which I’m assuming they are putting down to his PMR! He has a phone call booked with the doctor tomorrow to discuss this, but just wondered if anyone else has similar blood results with their condition? Want to be sure they are not just blaming the PMR.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It is expected because of the PMR as an autoimmune disorder and the use of pred to manage it - which is also used to treat patients with a low platelet count.

"Inflammatory conditions like autoimmune diseases, cancer or trauma, as well as certain infections and iron deficiency, are common causes of a high platelet count. Treatment is directed at the stimulus, and the platelet count returns to normal once resolved."

"About three-fourths of patients will increase their platelet count on treatment and about one-half will attain normal platelet counts. In some patients, the platelet count can be maintained at safe levels, after tapering to prednisone doses which are not associated with side effects."

[Hollieby in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you

[jessiem]

I have had high platelet count continuously since diagnosis of PMR - 2 years. I mentioned this at my last rheumatology appointment as nobody seemed bothered about it. Rheumatologist said he thought it was to do with PMR but wrote to hematology for advice. I’ve revived a letter from a hematologist who says he too thinks it’s the PMR - but said it could be caused by an over active bone marrow which is easily managed but needs detecting. I need a different type of blood test when I next have my regular blood test next week. Apparently, this test takes 2 months to come back 😩 so I’ll wait and see.

[Hollieby]

Thanks for that, wow that’s the longest time I’ve ever heard for a result, but at least they are checking you. It would be interesting to know how you get on with that.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hollieby]

It is usually because it must be sent away to a specialist lab where they collect samples until they have enough to make a run worth it - in the sense it is more accurate when several are done at a time and you see if the test is working properly. Then it takes time to do some tests since they are done in stages and to write the report and send it back.

[Suffererc]

yes. Abnormal/out of reference range - no further action