Swinging anyone??

[GoofyDad]

How far do your platelets swing? For those NOT on TX, I'm curious what a normal variation in platelet counts would be?

[can-do-man]

Hey there  mr. goofy, ive never been one to be in the "swinging" scene but i do have this fanasty of being on a deserted island with a bunch of..... OH never mind i see your talking about platelets, since tx mine seem to stay between 80 and 100.

BTW, hows that thyroid thingy going?

[foofighter]

Last two years the have gone from 140 down to 95 most recently. There have been some draws done a couple months apart where they would swing up or down about 5 points, but I figure that could be differences in handling or the lab.

I wonder if that is the case for folks with healthy numbers (and I bet that is the main focus of your question).

How bout you?

[GoofyDad]

Mine are at a post tx low of 110 - the high was 9 mos ago at 130. I have only about 6 post tx draws over 2 years. They went up-down-up-down in that time. I suspect it's just typical bouncing - but as Foo indicates, I was hoping to hear from some more normal folks.  

Hi Can-do - Just had the thyroid out on Wed. That went really quite well and I feel fine. Next to come is a nasty spell when they deprive me of replacement hormone in preparation for a radiation zap. That's supposed to be a nasty few weeks.

[jmjm530]

A 20 point swing is not signficant. Swinging with the Pointer Sisters would be. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDtUvX1iUVg

[GoofyDad]

So, did the Pointer Sisters adopt the name for the obvious reasons?

Do you mind posting how much your platelets vary, Jim?

[jmjm530]

Pre Treatment

11/04   160
2/05   178


Post Treatment

11/07  176
2/08    198
6/08    189
8/08     152

[GoofyDad]

Bouncing like Pam Anderson on the beach volleyball circuit!

Thanks!

[CoWriter]

You mentioned that 9 months ago your platelets were 130.  Since you're a Stage 4,  I would expect them to remain about the same.

My guess is that the drop to 110 may be related to your thyroid problem.  Hyperthyroidism can cause low platelets.  

http://www.bragmanhealth.com/pdfs/Patients_hyperthyroidism_low_red.pdf


Once your thyroid problem is straightened out, the platelets will probably go back up.


P.S.  I'm wondering whether your thyroid problem is related to tx.  Did you have any thyroid problems during tx?  

[geterdone]

If you would stop trying to be doctor and read some profiles and history you may find that GD is one thyroid lighter.

geterdone

[GoofyDad]

Interesting article. Thanks for posting it.

My thyroid was briefly hyper (low TSH) after stopping treatment. It went back to normal and seems to have been normal since. Typical tx induced inflamation is my take. Whether that could have been the final straw to trigger the cancer is an unanswered  question.

I have complained of fatigue since stopping treatment - it would be nice to find that the fatigue has been caused by the wonky thyroid and resolves on hormone replacement. I'm not optimistic as the cancer seems to have been well contained in an attached nodule.  

[CoWriter]

"If you would stop trying to be doctor and read some profiles and history you may find that GD is one thyroid lighter."

On one of his posts he said......

"Hi Can-do - Just had the thyroid out on Wed."

So I already knew.  But I did click on his profile to check out his picture....LOL


If you want to make me look bad you're gonna have to try alot harder....and I'll have fun answering.

[CoWriter]

Best of luck to you.  

[jmjm530]

CO: So I already knew.  But I did click on his profile to check out his picture.
------------------------------------------------------

"Co" has a professional background and she's usually on the money, not to mention she has a good sense of humor, as for example the above quote. I wondered about the relationship between tx and the thyroid problem myself, but as Goofy suggests that would best fit in the "unaswered question" box.

Hope this finds you well.

-- Jim

[geterdone]

Well, now we know who you are, btw are you now, or have you treated for Hepc in the past, just a curious question. Jmjm I am well aware of CoWriter professional background by her domineer as with her patients and prior post.

If you want to make me look bad you're gonna have to try alot harder....and I'll have fun answering.

Don’t flatter yourself.

geterdone

[GoofyDad]

CO: So I already knew.  But I did click on his profile to check out his picture.
------------------------------------------------------

"Co" has a professional background and she's usually on the money, not to mention she has a good sense of humor, as for example the above quote.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ahem. I fail to see how that demonstrates a sense of humor. It surely makes a case for her eyesight remaining strong, her taste impeccable, and her computer monitor in good order. But a sense of humor? I don't get it :)
  

[jmjm530]

Goofy: her taste impeccable
-------------------------------------

I think it was more that she clicked on your picture to confirm your thyroid was missing. Very thorough.  

[it'sallgood]

from six draws over the past year my platelets have ranged from 165,000 to 222,000.  i've been dx'd with compensated cirrhosis, have moderate splenomegaly and have never treated.

eric

[evangelin]

Wow, your platelet counts look fabulous.  My husband Joe, has compensated cirrhosis and his have been between the low 40's to high 70's for the last year.  He is currently at week 16 of tx (3rd try) and they have stayed in the 50's with little change so far.  I guess I thought all cirrhotics had really low platelets.  Gauf's have been similar to Joe's and his haven't changed much during tx either.  I have been giving Joe 10 mg of melatonin and 2-3 shark oils caps to help keep them up.  I got the idea from the Life extension foundation website.  Gauf is also taking these supps. but I think he takes less of the melatonin.  I really wonder if this is working to keep those platelets up ?  

[GoofyDad]

Jim: Or questioning that I ever once had one.......

Eric: Thanks, pal. Bouncing more than Pam! Those are some nice numbers. Will you treat soon? My spleen returned to normal immediately after treatment. It may yet be a largish normal, but it dropped quite a bit in size on the first post-SVR US.

[CoWriter]

"btw are you now, or have you treated for Hepc in the past"

ahhh....the old, "you don't have it, therefore you'll never know what it's like".

Darn it, now my secret's out....LOL


"just a curious question"

Which I had already answered.  

[Xenigma]

Pre-tx- 287
During tx- 154--2 weeks in & dropping throughout to 100 at 1 week post).
Post tx (2 months) -267

[orleans]

Mine have been on a downward curve --Starting 151, week 2 109, week 4 106. week 6 93

[willing]

goof: ehh, hormones - who needs 'em. All the best with the upcoming ordeal. Currently I'm at 143;   Have tests going back to '93 and 20-25 seems to be the bounce range - but am about to pin that fluctuation down more closely since I suspect one of my DRs is reading too much into this now being below normal. BTW - what were your pre-post spleen diameters?

evangelin: I've been meaning to ask you whether you had already looked into eltrombopag to improve your husband's platelet count for new tx's. Seems to be getting some good results:
http://www.gsk.com/media/pressreleases/2008/2008_pressrelease_0016.htm

[somuchmore2]

75 to 93

Which is not so bad but several possible trials draw a line at 90 and therefore I have missed out on new stuff because of low plalets.