Research on COVID 19 vax causing Essential Thrombocythemia?

I am seeing a naturopath Dr today. I will see what she thinks is best

I have E.T. - CalR mutation. Here’s the timeline of my Covid vaccines and my diagnosis:

- Pfizer Covid vac #1 on 3/16/21
- Pfizer Covid vac #2 on 4/13/21
- Pfizer Covid booster on 12/16/21
- Diagnosed w/E.T. on 1/26/22
with platelet count of 922,000

I find it hard to believe that this is a coincidence.
I think a huge problem with all of this is that it doesn’t seem like the physicians have to report this kind of “coincidence “ anywhere.

Please go to good hematologist. High platelets can result in stroke or heart attack, elevated platelets don't always cause obvious symptoms.

Hi @kbc. It’s understandable how some events can feel more than coincidental. From my research over the years, in the case of Covid vaccinations, there a few documented cases of people who developed thrombocytopenia, a decrease in platelet production. This can also happen with the measles, mumps and rubella vaccination.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8400504/
The Covid vaccination hasn’t been shown to cause any genetic mutations such JAK2 or CALR which can lead to changes in blood production with disorder of the bone marrow called Myeloproliferative disorders or Myeloproliferative neoplasms.
https://www.healthline.com/health/cancer/myeloproliferative-disorders
Clearly your numbers after the vaccination are higher. Do you have a baseline of your platelet count prior to vaccinations?

There is no research on this because doctors will not report it. My doctor said there is no research results on ET and Covid vaccines but when I asked if he was going to report my case--no reply. All patients would have to report their suspected issues to the proper government agency in order for them to know about the need for research.
I also had slightly high platelets for 25 years in the range of 375-480 but no doctor was worried until I thought about having surgery. I had put myself on daily low does aspirin 20 years ago. In 2017 my hematologist tested for JAK2 with negative results. I didn't have the back surgery or any other treatment.
No platelet changes until 2022 after I had three Covid vaccines in 2021. By June 2023 platelets hit 650 and had another JAK2 test which was positive this time, very unusual. All these high risk changes after the Covid vaccines even though stable for 30 years. Seeing hematologist every three months with no additional treatment other than daily aspirin and platelets remaining around 650. High risk since age 72 but have had no history of blood clots.
I'm sure there are more of these stories, but the data is not getting to the proper authorities.

Eileen,
I did get the RSV shot and the new COVID shot in Fall 2023. My platelets started creeping up. By March 2024, they are almost 100K higher and my HU treatment has been increased from 2x a week to 3x a week, and now, it's 4x a week. I have not caught COVID-19 nor have I been sick at all during the pandemic from any illness. My oncologist suggests getting the Covid booster, but I am worried that my platelets will increase even more. So hard to decide what to do. My daughter is getting married in the summer and I want to be healthy, happy, and smiling at the wedding.
Take care,
Karla

I have heard that covid vax makes them decrease for a while..not increase. I have had 7, at first , I wondered if all due to covid vax, but looking at my labs, they started trending up before covid existed

@mw2023, I wonder if Moderna and Pfizer have data. The initial Covid Vaccines were definitely rushed through due to urgency, but they continue to study, I hope, anyway. I am not conversant with their Covid Vaccine studies, but I have been a participant in a long-term study (2.5 years and 6 months to go) study with thousands of participants across the country for Moderna’s RSV vaccine. It’s pretty comprehensive with a weekly health check in, 6 month exams including blood draws and I am to report any change in health status. They do follow up!
I do wonder if they do the same with the Covid vaccines? Then one has to wonder if they would be forthcoming…but I am getting in the weeds here.
I do know that physicians in academia love to report medical anomalies. I worked in a large Children’s teaching hospital and they actually scramble to study and write papers and have a hand in new research. I don’t believe it is reticence on their part to “report” but perhaps low incidence?
We are all so different in how disease presents and how it impacts our bodies it is really difficult to identify cause and effect. You and your medical team have to decide what works for you. Others will have to do the same. I guess life would be dull if we were each a carbon copy of others.
Have a great weekend.

A decrease is seen with ITP. I have ET. I've been tracking data on my platelets since 2014. They were normal until I started getting COVID-19 shots. They go up each time I have a COVID shot. Following the COVID and RSV shots in Fall 2023, they went up another 100K. As of this week, I have to take HU 4x a week. I'm not taking the Covid booster recommended for 65+. I will keep wearing my mask. I have not caught Covid or any other illnesses in 4 years, but I am immune suppressed by taking oral chemo. Oral chemo gives me chronic fatigue.

Research is needed on platelet increases with Covid Shots and ET. I am in several support groups online and it's a real concern and it's not being addressed.