Platlet info/Hep-c

Please explain the scale this site is using for the platelet count. My VA  Dr. says mine was at 85,000 but on the lab results it states a  92 . Can someone straighten this out for me. I'm border line cirhosis (see previous  post ) and worried its too late to use the peg due to the treatment will destroy what platlets I have. What course of action can Itake ? Any replies are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[ejoli]

Hi,  I'm not sure why one says 85,000 and the other says 92,000 but basically there is no difference.   I started treatment with my platelets at 88,000 and they went down to 30,000 and didn't affect my tx. Lots of people with liver damage have low platelets and you can get along fine with the them as long as they don't go lower than about 25,000.
                      Good luck to you,     -Libby

[Trinity4]

There's a drug called Neumega that will raise the platelet levels. Usually this is givin to cancer patients, but can be used on Hep C patients, as well. They also do platelet transfusions. Your platelets are low, but not critically low.  Usually people on treatment are given a dose reduction when platelet levels go below 50,000 and that is conservative.  A good hepatolgist doesn't usually become concerned until counts drop to less than 30,000 platelets per microliter.  

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Aug 22, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN) today announced that the United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Nplate(TM) (romiplostim), the first and only platelet producer for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in splenectomized (spleen removed) and non-splenectomized adults with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Nplate, the first FDA-approved peptibody protein, works by raising and sustaining platelet counts, representing a novel approach for the long-term treatment of this chronic disease.

Your doctor would be the one to determine if this is something you would benefit from before considering treating.  Because you are close to cirrhosis, a good hepatolgist should be consulted for the best course of action regarding your circumstances.  I suspect insurance coverage would be another consideration, because it appears platelet treatment has been exclusive to cancer patients so far.  
Your platelets will drop during treatment -  no doubt about that.  
I started treatment with a count of 189 and in my 28th week of treatment and my platelets are hanging around 85 now.  Pretty good drop.  I hit a low of 50 around wk 8 and my doctor reduced peg dosage.  They went back up the the next week.  Platelets bounce around but I don't know your doctors requirements before he will consider treatment.  I'm sure someone else will advise as well.  Good Luck
Trinity

[can-do-man]

As a stage 4 my platelets are always low, First tx i started in the 80's and they got as low as 30"s. As with ejoli my doctor wasn't worried unless they got done to 25.

BTW 92 on your lab sheet would mean 92,000. Best of luck to you.

cando

[can-do-man]

Hey Jcb, thanks and also remember there is trials going on that provide free treatments. As a matter of fact im looking into getting into one at this time. Also their is ways to get all your meds for free. So hang in there and thank you for your service to our country. Cando