Posted , 5 users are following.
Today was my fourth weekly phlebotomy and I got my results: hematocrite 52 down from 57.7, hemoglobin: 171 down from 196 but, platelets: 748 up from 540 or around. It goes up weekly. Is it normal and, most importantly, is it dangerous?
Marie
0 likes, 14 replies
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Zapamania marie-jos6518
Posted
Phlebotomies rise your platelets. It was described to me as if you were in an accident & were bleeding a lot. The body would automatically make more platelets for the loss. That's a normal side effect of phlebotomies. So yes it's normal. In Pv they want women's hematocrit 42 or under men 45 or under. Zap
paul250360 marie-jos6518
Posted
Good news that your hematocrite and hemoglobin counts are down but your platelet count is on the high side. Best to seek advice from your specialist to ease your concern. A phone call may all that you need to do.
cheers
keith28441 marie-jos6518
Posted
In primary polycythaemia, it’s not uncommon for your platelets and/or white blood cells to increase in volume especially if you are undergoing regular venesections. Your Haematologist may decide at some point to put you on myelosuppressive drugs such as Hydroxycarbamide in order to reduce your platelet count. Your symptoms and blood patterns are very similar to mine.
Hope this helps
Kind regards
Keith
Zapamania marie-jos6518
Posted
marie-jos6518 Zapamania
Posted
Hi I was diagnosed less than a month ago. I do take aspirin. I see my hæmatologist next week for follow up, He was talking about medication (Hydrea, but he seemed to be more inclined for Jakafi), but I was hoping to stay off it for a while with just phlebotomy, that's why the platelets worry me. Thank you everyone for such quick response.
paul250360 marie-jos6518
Posted
Hopefully that is all you will require.
l'm 56 and was diagnosed 26 years ago with PRV and so far aspirin and 3 monthly phlebotomys is the only treatment regime l've had.to date.
Keep active, drink heaps of water and see your haematologist regularly especially until you get your readings down to fairly "normal" readings.
Zapamania marie-jos6518
Posted
Hi Marie I agree with Paul. He's the senior here. I was dx 4 years ago. I couldn't take aspirin unfortunately due to an ulcer. I just started Jakafi a little Over 2 months now. My platelets rose to a million so I guess I had no choice. I couldn't tolerate HU at all. I lasted 3 days. I had extreme body aches. Hopefully you will do good on phlebotomys and aspirin. Everyone is different. Zap
Zapamania paul250360
Posted
Hi Paul since I read that you've had Pv for 30 yrs may I ask if you have the jak2 mutation? Also do you think activity helps? Thanks zap
paul250360 Zapamania
Posted
l'm a bit embarrassed - l don't know !
l'm seeing my haematologist for my yearly check up early in February so l'll check with him then and post you.
Re activity - l'm a firm believer it does (everone really should exercise regularly) - l'm doing Oxfam in early April (100km in under 48 hours) - since l've been training for it l feel the best l've felt in years - have done at least 6, 30km walks (numerous 10 to 25 km walks) in training and pulled up better each time...
Zapamania paul250360
Posted
Hi Paul don't be embarrassed you just never asked so I'm thinking you're not or they would have told you. You seem to be in good shape. I don't know what a km is. Here in the US we don't know the metric system. Thanks for answering. Zap
paul250360 Zapamania
Posted
You "guys" have got to get with the rest of the world !! Good luck with that lunatic about to take over !!
30 kilometres(km) is around 19 miles
cheers
Paul
Zapamania paul250360
Posted
Hi Paul thanks for the conversion. They've tried to get the metric system into the school for years and for some reason it never takes. I like Trump much better than Obama or Hillary. I think Obama was useless. Maybe Trump could fix some of his mess. Believe me it's a mess. Zap
richard96620 marie-jos6518
Posted
If you are taking Aspirin to thin your blood, you should be ok, the danger with high platelet count is blood clot. I believe your doctor will prescribe hydra soon...Richard
marie-jos6518
Posted
Saw my hæmatologist yesterday. So far so good, no medication yet, but phlebo every second week until my hematocrit reaches 450 (last count 520). He told me that the platelets go up because my iron level goes down. No worries as long as I take my Aspirin everyday.