What to do for low platelets?

[GrandmaA]

My platelets are low now. Everything else is fine.

[Marl37]

My platelets kept going down.  A couple weeks ago my APRN told me she was concerned - down to 21.  I was doing 800 mg ribo a day - cut me down to 600. Next week platelets down to 15.  She had me stop my shots (I did PG interfon for 12 weeks - did not work, changed to concensus interferon - daily shot) for a week.  Started back on shots 2 days ago at 80% of dosage instead of the whole dosage.  WBC also low.  We'll see  what happens.

[moondog52]

GrandmaA, don't worry about a slightly low count like that! I envy you!
I was running 60 and after my 3rd peg-Intron shot I'm down to 52, ugh.
My liver is feeling better ... I hope my spleen gets the message and does the
same soon.

[hommeworks]

Low platelets are the result of the speen being enflamed. Liver desease causes the spleen to become inflamed. There is no dietary or medicinal method to increase your platelets. For me prior to biopsy or any risk of bleeding procedure I need to be transfused with plateletes. Post transplant has reduced the inflamation of my spleen and my platelets have increased. It took time!

[Lilla]

I "ditto" what FlGuy mentioned. Your platelets look great.  My last blood work (2 wks back) showed mine at 109 with WBC at 2.1, and ANC at 695

[GrandmaA]

Thanks so much for your input. I'm feeling fine. I was just wondering about the changes in my labwork. I appreciate your comments very much. It puts my mind at ease.

[FlGuy]

You should be very proud of your platelets, they are astronomical and just slightly out of range.  The 'think about them' point is around 40.  The 'do something about them' point is around 30. And, there's not much you can do about them, reduce the peg, get a platelet transfusion or use Neumega which is not indicated for hcv and by accounts I've read, nasty stuff itself.  I don't think you have platelet worries.

[GrandmaA]

Platelets are 137 Range is 140-415.
WBC are 4.0 that is barely normal. Range 4.0 - 10.5

My NP is very good and her nurses usually call ASAP if I need anything.

[FlGuy]

How low is low?

[wyntre9]

Aren't platelets related to WBC and aren't low WBC and neutrophils treated by neupogen?

i could have the platelet part wrong. . . .

Feel better,

wyntre