Critically low platelet count

Feel free to discuss any topic of general interest, so long as nothing you post here is likely to be interpreted as insulting, and/or inflammatory, nor clearly designed to provoke any individual or group. Please be considerate of others feelings, and they will be considerate of yours.

Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh

KarenT
Adélie Penguin
Adélie Penguin
Posts: 97
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2019 8:54 pm
Location: Virginia

Critically low platelet count

Post by KarenT »

I've been on the elimination diet since mid-March.
I had my yearly physical two weeks ago and my blood work came back with my platelet counts very low. I have been having an issue with low platelets but the hematologist discovered that my platelets clump in the vial and a re-test in the correct vial showed that everything was fine when tested months ago.
Now my platelet count is critical low at 64 (150-450 normal). Now I expect when they re-draw with the correct vial the number will come up some but probably not into the 'normal' range.
I did some poking around on the site and found that Vit D can affect platelet counts. My Vit D 25-Hydroxy result was 65.7 (30-100). I have been taking two Mag pills at night, one in the am (the cleated? Mag), and one Vit D pill.
I thought my Dr. tested my Magnesium but I don't see the results.....

Thoughts on whether this low count can have anything to do with MC, or my diet?
Any ideas on what might help?


WBC 5.3 3.4-10.8 X10E3/UL
RBC 4.77 3.77-5.28 X10E6/UL
HEMOGLOBIN 13.9 11.1-15.9 G/DL
HEMATOCRIT 43.5 34.0-46.6 %
MCV 91 79-97 FL
MCH 29.1 26.6-33.0 PG
MCHC 32.0 31.5-35.7 G/DL
RDW 14.6 12.3-15.4 %
PLATELETS 64 150-450 X10E3/UL Critical Low
ACTUAL PLATELET COUNT MAY BE SOMEWHAT HIGHER THAN REPORTED DUE TO
AGGREGATION OF PLATELETS IN THIS SAMPLE.

NEUTROPHILS 50 NOT ESTAB. %
LYMPHS 37 NOT ESTAB. %
MONOCYTES 11 NOT ESTAB. %
EOS 2 NOT ESTAB. %
BASOS 0 NOT ESTAB. %
NEUTROPHILS (ABSOLUTE) 2.7 1.4-7.0 X10E3/UL
LYMPHS (ABSOLUTE) 2.0 0.7-3.1 X10E3/UL
MONOCYTES(ABSOLUTE) 0.6 0.1-0.9 X10E3/UL
EOS (ABSOLUTE) 0.1 0.0-0.4 X10E3/UL
BASO (ABSOLUTE) 0.0 0.0-0.2 X10E3/UL
IMMATURE GRANULOCYTES 0 NOT ESTAB. %
IMMATURE GRANS (ABS) 0.0 0.0-0.1 X10E3/UL
Karen
User avatar
tex
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 35068
Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 9:00 am
Location: Central Texas

Post by tex »

Hi Karen,

The only time my own platelet count has been abnormal was after a hereditary bleeding issue that required major abdominal surgery in 2010 (I've had MC for about 20 years). I almost bled to death during the surgery, and the surgeons had to close early because my heart was running out of blood. They were afraid to give me more blood, because if too much blood (that isn't my own) is added, the body will reject the fresh blood and continue to bleed, so I was running low.

My platelet count started going up a few weeks after the surgery, but just before we needed to try to intervene, it began to stabilize, and it slowly returned to normal. The doctors didn't know why. My own guess is that it was caused by all the blood transfusions that I received before the surgery, but that's just a guess. I'm not aware that MC (or the elimination diet) normally causes low platelet counts, but we're all different, so maybe it's possible.

The magnesium test may have had to be done by another lab, so the result may show up in a few days.

Tex
:cowboy:

It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
KarenT
Adélie Penguin
Adélie Penguin
Posts: 97
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2019 8:54 pm
Location: Virginia

Post by KarenT »

Thank you, as always, Tex. I'm sorry you had such a hard time with surgery, how scary!

Some of the reasons for low platelet counts I read online mentioned a shortage of some B vitamins. (B12, B9-folic acid) Is there any harm in taking a B complex vitamin, as far as MC goes?

I also read on here, but can't recall where, that there is a specific test to accurately measure a persons Magnesium levels. Can you remind me what it is? (in case my Dr didn't actually order it)

Thank you! I hope you are staying cool in TX. Here in northern Virginia it will be in the low 100's this weekend, steamy!!
Karen
brandy
King Penguin
King Penguin
Posts: 2909
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2011 9:54 am
Location: Florida

Post by brandy »

A lot of us take Thorne Methylguard Plus. It is more absorbable in the gut so better for us. I'm taking 1 per day for
brain function. Label says 3 per day. I think most of us take 1 per day but given your situation you might
consider more for a short while.
brandy
King Penguin
King Penguin
Posts: 2909
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2011 9:54 am
Location: Florida

Post by brandy »

Reading up on this I'd get the Thorne Methyl Guard Plus. Talk it over with your doc. I'd probably do
the label dose (ask your doc) of 2-3 per day and retest your blood at intervals.

We don't eat B vitamin fortified foods (wheat bread) so I can see how this can happen.
KarenT
Adélie Penguin
Adélie Penguin
Posts: 97
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2019 8:54 pm
Location: Virginia

Post by KarenT »

Thanks, Brandy, I'll look into this! I've seen the Methyl Guard mentioned on this forum but didn't know what it was.... :-)
Karen
User avatar
tex
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 35068
Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 9:00 am
Location: Central Texas

Post by tex »

Hi Karen,

Since Brandy answered your question, I'll just sheepishly admit that we're probably cooler down here, than most of the country north of us. It's a strange summer, cooler than normal down here. We're not even under any heat stress warnings here. Temps are in the mid to upper 90's.

Tex
:cowboy:

It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Marcia K
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 1397
Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2014 10:39 am
Location: PA

Post by Marcia K »

It's been really hot in PA this week, too! 100 for the weekend!
Marcia
------------
My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style. - M. Angelou
User avatar
tex
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 35068
Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 9:00 am
Location: Central Texas

Post by tex »

Bummer! The weather forecasters are predicting 99 for the weekend, here.

Tex
:cowboy:

It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Marcia K
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 1397
Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2014 10:39 am
Location: PA

Post by Marcia K »

I'm so grateful for a/c. My mom asked the other day if I could imagine living without it. Uh, yeah Mom. We grew up with window fans blowing hot air on us! Lol.
Marcia
------------
My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style. - M. Angelou
User avatar
tex
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 35068
Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 9:00 am
Location: Central Texas

Post by tex »

I remember that too. But we were happy and content, 'cause we didn't know any better. Those were the good ol' days. And I still think so.

Tex
:cowboy:

It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Marcia K
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 1397
Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2014 10:39 am
Location: PA

Post by Marcia K »

I totally agree, Tex! Life was so simple then.
Marcia
------------
My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style. - M. Angelou
KarenT
Adélie Penguin
Adélie Penguin
Posts: 97
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2019 8:54 pm
Location: Virginia

Post by KarenT »

No AC when I was a kid either, but we lived (in NY) by the ocean, so the days usually cooled off nicely by late afternoon. Yes, life was much simpler then. In the summers Mom kicked us out of the house in the morning and you made sure you hustled home when she whistled for dinner! ;-)

We survived the miserably hot weekend (99 degrees, heat index of 107), today is a tad cooler (92) but in a few days it should cool down to the high 80's.

Stay cool Tex! Marcia, I hope the cooler weather is headed your way soon, my neighbor to the north!
Karen
User avatar
Erica P-G
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 1815
Joined: Sun Mar 08, 2015 2:06 pm
Location: WA State

Post by Erica P-G »

I also read on here, but can't recall where, that there is a specific test to accurately measure a persons Magnesium levels.
Hi Karen,
I recently had my RBC Magnesium test done both with blood and by my hair all within 2 months of each other....hands down I feel the hair analysis (approx 5-6 months of timeline) showed a better level than any of my blood tests have ever shown me.

Your call, a blood test RBC Mag will be a moment in time which is better than nothing but only if your heart or organs weren't using some of it at the time of the blood draw.....I also learned about which minerals I was lacking which was a huge help because they were tied to adrenal fatigue. Something new I get to work on getting into balance.
To Succeed you have to Believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a Reality - Anita Roddick
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
KarenT
Adélie Penguin
Adélie Penguin
Posts: 97
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2019 8:54 pm
Location: Virginia

Post by KarenT »

Erica, that is interesting, I hadn't heard about a hair analysis! I'll have to look into that.
I thought it might have been Tex that said that only if your Mag was at a critically low point would it show on a blood test as 'low'. Does that sound familiar?
Karen
Post Reply

Return to “Main Message Board”