Q&A If you have high platelets and are worried…

I am 27 years old, currently 37 weeks pregnant and 2 weeks ago – I was experiencing terrible headaches with aura. I got CBC blood test done, and my platelet count was 497! Normal platelet counts at my Anaemia Test lab are maxed out at 450.

I was freaking out, I couldn’t sleep, googling forever, and the person who ordered the blood work even said, “If her platelet levels don’t go down, refer to hem/onc for further workup.” My mind was going nuts thinking I had blood cancer! I was also experiencing extreme fatigue.

Well, my Anaemia ferritin level came back at an 11. So they sent me for 2 iron transfusions, and by the second transfusion – I had my CBC drawn again, and my platelet levels were at 300 !!!

They dropped by 200 points in 2 weeks by just adding iron.

I wanted to make this post if anyone else worries about high platelets and googling for hours. It’s probably your iron. Don’t worry!

Answer:

Recently, I had a higher-than-normal platelet level but was experiencing my second heavy menstrual cycle in 3 weeks. Doc requested more Anaemia tests to be safe, so 6 days later & post-cycle, a second CBC revealed a lower platelet count & normal blood cells. I also freaked out a little. A lot. I should’ve never googled “high platelet count” before speaking to my doctor.

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Question:

Hematology referral?

I’m a generally healthy 43-year-old woman. Physically fit and active.

I’ve had my MCV and MCH monitored for the past couple of years because both have been slightly elevated with no known cause. B12, folate, RBC and WBC haven’t been an issue, but we have also been monitoring my iron levels as my iron stores were depleted a few years ago by donating blood. Supplementing with iron has slowly and steadily been bringing up my ferritin.

I experienced some unexplained and significant bruising recently, so I had some additional tests done. These showed elevated platelets, high rates, and higher MCV and MCH values than in the past. RBC, WBC, and Hbg are all still fine; however, my ferritin dropped in half over the last three months despite still supplementing and not donating blood.

I have a follow-up appointment with my GP soon and want to know if I should push for a referral to a haematologist and, if so if it’s wise for me to ask for a bone marrow aspiration.

I’ve felt a bit slower running this spring but chalked it up to getting back at it after winter. I indoor climb and have been feeling fine and strong with that. No major sicknesses lately, covid once over a year ago, but a series of minor colds and such over the winter.

Thanks for any insight!

Answer:

It’s always wise to take the gold standard if you want it. You can advocate for the investigation.

Generally, doctors don’t want to give Bone Marrow exams because they’re invasive and painful. Most patients would rather avoid them. If you want to advocate for one, then you can, but your doctor may want to treat it as a last resort.

There is a molecular battery of exams for diagnosing many lymphomas and leukaemias, so they may start there and move to Bone Marrow aspirate if they are suspicious of the results.

If they don’t do a BM aspirate immediately, don’t assume it’s medical negligence. They may want to start with JAK2 and Philadelphia Chromosome investigations before they go there.

Good luck!

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Question:

High platelets? (panel)

Hi! When I searched Reddit for CBC issues for high platelets, this sub came up. I don’t see a haematologist, so I hope this post is okay. I’m just trying to understand something. Also, please, if this is bad, speak calmly and kindly. I don’t want to panic. I just had a checkup.

MPV is 15 fL

The immature Platelet Fraction is 24.3%

Immature Platelet Fraction, Absolute, is 49.1 10*3/uL

I gained 40 lbs in 2-3 months last year and have been seeing a weight loss doctor who’s supposed to specialise in Binge Eating Disorder. We were discussing medications, and I wanted to know where I stood before committing to something like that, so I asked for a an exam. It’s the worst Anaemia Home Kit test I’ve ever had in my life. I just turned 26, and my total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol are very high, but I expected that because I’ve been on a weight loss journey and know I have some ways to go. But what caught my eye was what was well outside the normal range. Mean Platelet Volume and Immature Platelet Fraction.

It’s the only thing that, when googling, the answers could be more straightforward. And the thing I keep seeing is the word cancer. But I don’t like to jump to conclusions. Would you like me to worry? I couldn’t ask this doctor because she was annoyed. I even asked for the exam; she fought me a bit.

Answer:

The answers aren’t straightforward because those two values mean almost nothing to you or your overall health. MPV is a means for the lab scientists to detect if your sample is quality. A high MPV (not what your MPV is) could mean your platelets were clumping/clotting samples and, therefore, not a good sample to use. IPF – doesn’t mean a lot unless it was in the context of other issues on your CBC. In that case, your PCP would have told you to worry about it, but assuming they didn’t, this is not an issue.

I just wanted to let you know there is nothing to worry about. Listen to your doctor; they will tell you if there is something to worry about. Don’t Google things.

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Question:

Extremely low WBC

Female, 31, 9 weeks pregnant, currently not on any medication

Existing health condition: Ankylosing spondylitis

I have recently had my first antenatal appointment where urine were checked. The results of my FBC are:

Hb: 11.0 g/dL | WCC: 1.40 109 /L | Platelets: 392.00 109 | Haematocrit (HCt): 0.32(Not Recorded) % | MCV: 85.0 fL Ferritin: 32 MSU: negative Syphilis, HIV, Hep B: Negative

I am really worried about my WBC count. The Anaemia clinic has said my results are “satisfactory—continue taking oral iron supplements.” Should I contact them about this?

Answer:

Although it is low, it isn’t low enough to be considered critical. A drop in WBC is not uncommon in early pregnancy as your body adjusts. Provided the CBC count does not stay low for any period of time (think 4-6 months), this is perfectly fine. Stay hydrated and stay healthy; you should be fine.