Low platelets

[fabianpoz2003]

Hi

My lab showns 560 T4 count and 37 k VL...and no meds .But my platelets is around the 60k figure  ..So I am scared...Do u know some supplements or else to boost  it up...

thanks

[cubbybear]

No supplements will magically make your platelets increase. 

When I was first diagnosed (and incredibly sick) my platelets were dangerously low, like 15K.  I was getting lots of bruises, I would just have to poke myself and I would bruise. Platelets weren't my only low blood cell types, so 2 transfusions later, medication and rest made them return to normal levels, but it took about 6 months to get back to normal levels.

Mind you, I was a lot worse off than you.  All of our counts change daily, constantly.. so you need to look for trends in your cell counts over a period of months.

Ideally you need to speak to your doctor if you are concerned.  If he was, he would be doing something about it.

[aztecan]

Hey Fabian,

About 40 percent of people with HIV have abnormally low platelets at some time during their infection. From what my doc told me, it is a direct result of being positive.

I know someone who just started meds last month because of this. His platelets were somewhat lower than yours and were continuing to drop.

Starting HIV meds seems to help this situation, which is why this guy went on meds because his CD4s and viral load were pretty good.

Curiously, Combivir, or specifically AZT, seems to be one of the better drugs to address this, or that is what the doc told me.

What does your doc say? Are you monitoring your platelets regularly? Are you co-infected with Hepatitis (B or C)?

If your platelet level continues to drop, I would definitely see my doc to see what he recommends. Very low platelets can be dangerous.

HUGS,

Mark

[bocker3]

Hi Fabian,

Have you had a repeat CBC done?  With a plt count like that, your doctor should have repeated it pronto -- especially if you hadn't had low platelets previously.  Platelet count results can be falsely lowered for a number of reasons -- they can clump if the specimen is not properly mixed.  To validate a true low platelet count, a repeat is needed.  If you haven't had one ordered -- I would call the doctor and insist on a repeat CBC.  This is a pretty quick test and results should be available the same day -- even if not ordered STAT.

Mike

[fabianpoz2003]

Hello

I will repeat it next week..I had it low before and it went up again..Hope it will be better next time....


Thanks

[John2038]

Hi Fabian,

accordingly to my labs, my patelets are bouncing +-25%.
They was 230, they are now 170, but no patterns, just bouncing.

The father of a friend have a cancer, not related to HIV (and to this topic)
But just to says that his patelets are 70 and they they go up after a blood transfusion.
Seems it's the way they do to make them coming back to the normal range.

Cheers,
John

[scud44]

My current platelet reading is 32 - just a tad low.
I had to have an infusion of platelets before my recent surgery (see attached photo)

Regards
Scuddles

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Mike2008]

This was an issue with me - I was tested monthly for 6 months and they just kept dropping.  I started Atripla in August (although my CD4's and VL were good) and now they are almost back to normal.