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low platelet count hep c
i was to start hep c treatment this week. But my platelet count dropped to 43. Doctor said to low to start interfuron. What can i do if anthing to get this level to increase? i hav hep c geno type 1b the worst type. i dnt drink or do drugs anymore (7yrs.now). I smoke cigarettes other than that i'm pretty healthy. I have a doctor who doesn't giv me any info on anything.when it comes to things i can do to increase my health. i'm completely lost and struggeling to find answers and starting to STRESS alot. please i need all the info i can get.thanks signed starting to get depressed
Have papaya leaf juice it helps in building platelets. About two tablespoons a day helps a lot, I'd recently gotten dengue where the platelets tend to fall really quickly so it helped quite a lot.
thank you very helpful I'm liking the web site more and more don't feel so alone now i appreciate all the info its the not knowing thats been the hardest atleast now i have some direction
OOOPs I meant Willbb not Willing he was a great member but he's long gone...I had typed the word a paragraph before and guess it got stuck in my head. Thank you Kylie for letting me know what i had said!
Willbb, Candoman, Hector that's better I dont want to steer you wrong!
Willbb, Candoman, Hector that's better I dont want to steer you wrong!
I know smoking is bad and yes I would like to quit. However, the getting there is tough. But if platelets are affected I would have had zero all along.
While we all believe smoking is not good for anyone, sometimes, it pays to remember we all have our own vices and no one is perfect.
You should disregard that entire passage and continue asking questions of the senior members of the forum (or more knowledgable members) and take their advice. There are great people on this forum and they will be more than willing and in fact eager to help you.
I dont know anything about platelets but I would listen to Hector, Cando, Willing regarding serious science of medicine stuff. The rest of us are good cheerleaders pretty much but no where as knowledgable as they are.
PS Seroquel is a serious medication please do not think of discontinuing until you speak to your doctor at length. Sometimes stopping one medication to protect your liver can be more damaging than the virus or liver damage itself. IE: would you stop heart medication to protect your liver and risk a heart attack?
While we all believe smoking is not good for anyone, sometimes, it pays to remember we all have our own vices and no one is perfect.
You should disregard that entire passage and continue asking questions of the senior members of the forum (or more knowledgable members) and take their advice. There are great people on this forum and they will be more than willing and in fact eager to help you.
I dont know anything about platelets but I would listen to Hector, Cando, Willing regarding serious science of medicine stuff. The rest of us are good cheerleaders pretty much but no where as knowledgable as they are.
PS Seroquel is a serious medication please do not think of discontinuing until you speak to your doctor at length. Sometimes stopping one medication to protect your liver can be more damaging than the virus or liver damage itself. IE: would you stop heart medication to protect your liver and risk a heart attack?
I agree with Idyllic. I think the most important thing you can do right now is start getting copies of ALL your test results preferably starting at least one year before your HCV diagnosis (more is better). With the tests in hand you will be able to compare your results with normal results and also see how your results have changed over time. We hear all the time from people who have been told their liver is "doing fine", or some such non-information, and all too often the test results are saying something else. It is really important to do everything you can to educate yoursel about the disease and to keep track of your test numbers and also what direction they are moving and whether the changes are gradual or rapid. The second step then would be to find a good hepatologist to better evaluate the condition of your liver. Hector gave excellent advice regarding choosing a physician. Actually, Hector always gives excellent advice, so you can put a lot of faith in anything he says. We have quite a few very knowledgable members here and it's an excellent place to learn about all aspects of the disease. Good luck with all of this!
You may want to ask for a copy of your labs. Maybe call your doctor's office and see if they will fax or email you a copy.
I regret that it's like this but simply being told everything looks good or not being told what certain lab values are is absolutely meaningless information. Either way you would want a copy of your labs because if you book an appointment at the university (or wherever) then you will be able to show up with something to work with. It would be a huge time saver for you since the doctor could review your labs and plan from there. (S)he might want to run another set of labs but the labs you bring with you on your first visit could possibly provide direction you otherwise would not have.
I regret that it's like this but simply being told everything looks good or not being told what certain lab values are is absolutely meaningless information. Either way you would want a copy of your labs because if you book an appointment at the university (or wherever) then you will be able to show up with something to work with. It would be a huge time saver for you since the doctor could review your labs and plan from there. (S)he might want to run another set of labs but the labs you bring with you on your first visit could possibly provide direction you otherwise would not have.
Okay, I looked it up~
Precautions
Caution should be used in patients with heart disease because the drug may cause blood pressure to fall too low resulting in dizziness, rapid heartbeat, or fainting.
Quetiapine may cause liver damage. As a result, patients should notify their health care provider if they experience flu-like symptoms, notice yellowing of their skin or eyes, or experience abdominal pain. Liver function should be assessed periodically. The drug should be used cautiously in people with a history of liver disease or alcoholic cirrhosis.
Read more: Quetiapine - dose, causes, effects, therapy, drug, examples, person, people http://www.minddisorders.com/Py-Z/Quetiapine.html#b#ixzz1uQLmSTAh
I hope you dont drink any alcohol, and drink plenty of green tea, as an antioxidant.
You might want to go back to the Doctor, that prescribed you the Seroquel, and tell him you are now having liver problems. Then you can try to wean off slowly, while replacing it with something easier on the liver....
All that takes time, just stay calm, and keep following thru, with all your appts, I know it's hard~ good luck : )
Precautions
Caution should be used in patients with heart disease because the drug may cause blood pressure to fall too low resulting in dizziness, rapid heartbeat, or fainting.
Quetiapine may cause liver damage. As a result, patients should notify their health care provider if they experience flu-like symptoms, notice yellowing of their skin or eyes, or experience abdominal pain. Liver function should be assessed periodically. The drug should be used cautiously in people with a history of liver disease or alcoholic cirrhosis.
Read more: Quetiapine - dose, causes, effects, therapy, drug, examples, person, people http://www.minddisorders.com/Py-Z/Quetiapine.html#b#ixzz1uQLmSTAh
I hope you dont drink any alcohol, and drink plenty of green tea, as an antioxidant.
You might want to go back to the Doctor, that prescribed you the Seroquel, and tell him you are now having liver problems. Then you can try to wean off slowly, while replacing it with something easier on the liver....
All that takes time, just stay calm, and keep following thru, with all your appts, I know it's hard~ good luck : )
It does sound like you need to get some answers as soon as you can, and also try not to panic.
I found out my platelets were low (but still 120, below 150 is lower than normal range), last october. I had my first biopsy on Dec 1st, and I was Stage 2, and went into treatment on Feb 7th of this year.
Have you had a biopsy? Also, you should try looking up Seroquel, and find out if oneof the side-effects may be low platelets. Some people take 50-60 mgs, for sleep, and other people take it as high as 800-1000 mgs, for an anti-psychotic.
And when you treat with Interferon, it can take your existing psych probs, and magnify them. Seroquel for 5 yrs may be okay, but if taken for 20 yrs, can cause problems with internal organs, unfortunately.
Sometimes the platelets go up a bit, by them-selves...just stay calm, and make your follow up appt.
I found out my platelets were low (but still 120, below 150 is lower than normal range), last october. I had my first biopsy on Dec 1st, and I was Stage 2, and went into treatment on Feb 7th of this year.
Have you had a biopsy? Also, you should try looking up Seroquel, and find out if oneof the side-effects may be low platelets. Some people take 50-60 mgs, for sleep, and other people take it as high as 800-1000 mgs, for an anti-psychotic.
And when you treat with Interferon, it can take your existing psych probs, and magnify them. Seroquel for 5 yrs may be okay, but if taken for 20 yrs, can cause problems with internal organs, unfortunately.
Sometimes the platelets go up a bit, by them-selves...just stay calm, and make your follow up appt.
All right. I once asked if there was Riba rage without interferon.. I guess I am getting my answer..
Still.
Still.
You took out the part where I said "I don't know if it specifically affects platelets, but cigarette smoking is seriously taxing your liver. " That was the next sentence-loud and clear.
There is a lot of real things to crititcize me about, can-do-man-you don't need to make things up.
I don't find nitpicking and changing my statement to suit your thoughts as being helpful.
There is a lot of real things to crititcize me about, can-do-man-you don't need to make things up.
I don't find nitpicking and changing my statement to suit your thoughts as being helpful.
Your doctor needs to ascertain the reason your platlets are so low.
A count of 43is a significantly low number.
For someone with hepatitis,the finding of very low platelets ,as Hector mentioned above is most often caused by cirrhosis,however you say your doctor found no evidence of this.
You need to know what he based this on and ask him very directly what tests he has done and get clear explanations from him about this.
If he is not going to discuss your condition with you in full detail ,then as you mentioned it is time to be seen by a Hepatologist who will run all the appropriate testing and discuss the findings in clear fashion with you.
Low platlets can be caused by a number of other disorders ,however tests need to be done to find a cause .
You mentioned in another post getting evaluated at a University hospital and I would highly advise this.
Oh...and altho smoking is no good for anyone ..it would certainly not cause one's plats to drop to 43..
Good luck and plesae seek out a doctor that will do a full evaluation and then discusses any findings to you in detail and a follow up plan to advise on proper care.
Will
A count of 43is a significantly low number.
For someone with hepatitis,the finding of very low platelets ,as Hector mentioned above is most often caused by cirrhosis,however you say your doctor found no evidence of this.
You need to know what he based this on and ask him very directly what tests he has done and get clear explanations from him about this.
If he is not going to discuss your condition with you in full detail ,then as you mentioned it is time to be seen by a Hepatologist who will run all the appropriate testing and discuss the findings in clear fashion with you.
Low platlets can be caused by a number of other disorders ,however tests need to be done to find a cause .
You mentioned in another post getting evaluated at a University hospital and I would highly advise this.
Oh...and altho smoking is no good for anyone ..it would certainly not cause one's plats to drop to 43..
Good luck and plesae seek out a doctor that will do a full evaluation and then discusses any findings to you in detail and a follow up plan to advise on proper care.
Will
.
I hate to say it, but the smoking is really, really bad. I would bet if you stopped the cigarettes you would see an improvement within a few weeks.
Just going by what you said, if stopping would cause them to rise then it would be safe to guess that smoking would cause them to lower.. Kinda tuchie aren't we?
I hate to say it, but the smoking is really, really bad. I would bet if you stopped the cigarettes you would see an improvement within a few weeks.
Just going by what you said, if stopping would cause them to rise then it would be safe to guess that smoking would cause them to lower.. Kinda tuchie aren't we?
Did I say that smoking causes low platelets? No I did not, I specifically said that I don't know if they affect platelets or not but that smoking cigarettes do tax the liver...Would you like a link??
If I HAVE TO smoke, I use an E-Cig...A tiny hit of nicotine and none of the other chemicals. I could never light a real cig again.
I hate to say it, but the smoking is really, really bad. I would bet if you stopped the cigarettes you would see an improvement within a few weeks. I don't know if it specifically affects platelets, but cigarette smoking is seriously taxing your liver.
I am sympathetic...if I thought my health could take it, I would light up now and its been a few years. A very powerful addiction. And a deadly one.
Stay hydrated, eat healthy lean and whole foods and your platelets may pick up. Mine did.
I am sympathetic...if I thought my health could take it, I would light up now and its been a few years. A very powerful addiction. And a deadly one.
Stay hydrated, eat healthy lean and whole foods and your platelets may pick up. Mine did.
no sign of cihrosis so i'm told. I dnt get much info from my doc i'm looking into changing and going to university of washington i got a number on the level of hep c in my blood which was 6.1 which i was told is very high they usually want a level of 2.0 when they do treatment. I was told everything else looked good. I haven't been told any other numbers or levels or names of things they tested. my doc is a gastroenterologist i'm not on a transplant list and i've never been told what my normal platelet levels are. I dn't even no what questions to ask or what diet i should be on or how my meds of seroquel and methadone affect me and my hep c.
In order to be of help we need more information about the condition of your liver disease and what is being done to manage it currently.
Is your cirrhosis compensated or decompensated?
Do you know your MELD score?
What is your Albumin (g/dL) level?
What is your Bilirubin (mg/dL) level?
What is your Prothrombin time (seconds)?
What is the normal range for your platelet count?
Are you listed for a liver transplant at a transplant center?
Is this doctor a hepatologist at the transplant center?
Is you doctor a gastroenterologist?
What is the normal range for your platelet count?
What complications of cirrhosis have you experienced? Ascites, Varices, hepatic encephalopathy, etc.
Assuming that you are healthy enough to treat your hepatitis C, the problem is that current treatment for hepatitis C has the side effect of reducing platelet counts in all persons no matter what their degree of liver disease is. So persons without advanced liver disease have platelet counts between 150,000 and 450,000. This gives them a large buffer so their platelet count never drops to dangerously low levels. Unfortunately for yourself and others who have cirrhosis, they have a low platelet count to begin with so there is no buffer between normal platelet count and dangerously low platelet levels. So according to standard hepatitis C treatment protocol, a person with a platelet count below 50,000 should have the normal dosage of interferon reduced by half to start with. If your platelet count falls below 25,000 treatment is to be stopped. So treatment would have little chance of ever working. If your platelet count is so low you probably have other blood level abnormalities that would affect the use of treatment also.
There are treatments for low platelet counts but they are for patients with much higher baseline platelet counts then yourself. Patients with platelet counts of 70,000 or higher. The treatment are ONLY temporary. Not something to be done over most of the 48 weeks of treatment. This is all something a hepatologist can explain to you.
Treatment for cirrhotics is for 48 weeks. The odds of your platelet count dropping into dangerous levels is probably close to 100%. There are temporary treatments to raise platelet counts but there are used in patients that have higher platelet counts to begin with. Your doctor must look at risk vs. benefit. The chance of you clearing the hep C virus and being cirrhotic with such a low platelet count at base level is based on my own experience as a cirrhotic patient in a similar position is about nil. You are much more likely to have the treatment cause other adverse events that could lead to further damage of your liver or liver failure. I don’t know of any doctor that would believe the risk is worth the effort. Then again I only have the information you posted which is minimal.
Unfortunately, you are like the vast majority of patients with advanced cirrhosis. Caught between a rock and a hard place. We need treatment the most yet are least likely to be able to treat and even those that treat have a low chance of being successful.
The best thing you can do is to be under the care of a hepatologist at a liver transplant center near you. You should be evaluated and if appropriate listed for a transplant. In the mean time your hepatologist will manage the side effects and complications of your advanced liver disease until you are able to get a transplant.
I am not sure what you mean by “depressed” but if your illness is causing psychological issues you should see a Psychiatrist that is experienced with patients who are struggling with the mental issues of a chronic potentially fatal illness. All transplant patients I know need help in managing the nature and the life changing reality of advanced liver disease.
My background: I have End-Stage Liver Disease (ESLD) caused by hepatitis C and have had liver cancer the developed from my cirrhosis for the last year. I am waiting for a transplant hopefully at the end of this year.
Best of luck to you! Let us know how you are progressing.
Hector
Is your cirrhosis compensated or decompensated?
Do you know your MELD score?
What is your Albumin (g/dL) level?
What is your Bilirubin (mg/dL) level?
What is your Prothrombin time (seconds)?
What is the normal range for your platelet count?
Are you listed for a liver transplant at a transplant center?
Is this doctor a hepatologist at the transplant center?
Is you doctor a gastroenterologist?
What is the normal range for your platelet count?
What complications of cirrhosis have you experienced? Ascites, Varices, hepatic encephalopathy, etc.
Assuming that you are healthy enough to treat your hepatitis C, the problem is that current treatment for hepatitis C has the side effect of reducing platelet counts in all persons no matter what their degree of liver disease is. So persons without advanced liver disease have platelet counts between 150,000 and 450,000. This gives them a large buffer so their platelet count never drops to dangerously low levels. Unfortunately for yourself and others who have cirrhosis, they have a low platelet count to begin with so there is no buffer between normal platelet count and dangerously low platelet levels. So according to standard hepatitis C treatment protocol, a person with a platelet count below 50,000 should have the normal dosage of interferon reduced by half to start with. If your platelet count falls below 25,000 treatment is to be stopped. So treatment would have little chance of ever working. If your platelet count is so low you probably have other blood level abnormalities that would affect the use of treatment also.
There are treatments for low platelet counts but they are for patients with much higher baseline platelet counts then yourself. Patients with platelet counts of 70,000 or higher. The treatment are ONLY temporary. Not something to be done over most of the 48 weeks of treatment. This is all something a hepatologist can explain to you.
Treatment for cirrhotics is for 48 weeks. The odds of your platelet count dropping into dangerous levels is probably close to 100%. There are temporary treatments to raise platelet counts but there are used in patients that have higher platelet counts to begin with. Your doctor must look at risk vs. benefit. The chance of you clearing the hep C virus and being cirrhotic with such a low platelet count at base level is based on my own experience as a cirrhotic patient in a similar position is about nil. You are much more likely to have the treatment cause other adverse events that could lead to further damage of your liver or liver failure. I don’t know of any doctor that would believe the risk is worth the effort. Then again I only have the information you posted which is minimal.
Unfortunately, you are like the vast majority of patients with advanced cirrhosis. Caught between a rock and a hard place. We need treatment the most yet are least likely to be able to treat and even those that treat have a low chance of being successful.
The best thing you can do is to be under the care of a hepatologist at a liver transplant center near you. You should be evaluated and if appropriate listed for a transplant. In the mean time your hepatologist will manage the side effects and complications of your advanced liver disease until you are able to get a transplant.
I am not sure what you mean by “depressed” but if your illness is causing psychological issues you should see a Psychiatrist that is experienced with patients who are struggling with the mental issues of a chronic potentially fatal illness. All transplant patients I know need help in managing the nature and the life changing reality of advanced liver disease.
My background: I have End-Stage Liver Disease (ESLD) caused by hepatitis C and have had liver cancer the developed from my cirrhosis for the last year. I am waiting for a transplant hopefully at the end of this year.
Best of luck to you! Let us know how you are progressing.
Hector
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