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What are pros of hydroxyurea vs other methods of lowering platelets?
Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: 4 days ago | Replies (35)Comment receiving replies
My hematologist wanted the bone marrow biopsy first to confirm the ET diagnosis before starting me on HU. He wanted to be sure I didn’t have some other blood disorder or leukemia before starting on HU. And higher age correlates strongly with having a higher risk for stroke or heart attack with an ET diagnosis which is why we are considered high risk at age 65.
Replies to "My hematologist wanted the bone marrow biopsy first to confirm the ET diagnosis before starting me..."
Hi debhammel,
Thank you for posting. Yes, I really do want a bone marrow biopsy first to make sure I do not have something g else. It sounds like you have a good doctor. I sent questions to the oncologist/hemotologist I was referred to and my first question was why I was not getting a bone marrow biopsy to confirm my diagnosis. I am still waiting for a reply and so hope I get one from her. I also asked how many patients this group has treated locally here and how many she has treated herself. I just really need to know that in the event I am expected to just take Hydrea without really knowing I have that. Granted ET is the lesser of the evils to have, but I would just really like to know the answer. I am not sure if your age, but I assume similar to mine. If you do not mind sharing, did you have any gene mutation such as JAG2 as that is all I have been tested for and mine is negative.
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Mine did the same except I'm low risk because I'm 48 & never had any issues. I do have family members that had leukemia so they checked a bunch of genes for any type of mutation.