High LDH with ET?

Found this on Medlineplus:

In general, LDH levels that are higher than normal usually mean you have some type of tissue damage. The damage is usually from disease, infection, or injury. Your provider may order more tests to diagnose your condition.
But higher a than normal LDH level doesn't always mean you have a medical condition that needs treatment. High levels can be caused by intense exercise and certain medicines, including aspirin. It's also possible to have a high LDH level if many red blood cells broke open when your sample was collected and tested.

The possible role of aspirin -- which I believe you take every day -- would be something to consider.

Google AI says:
Yes, Essential Thrombocythemia (ET) can increase LDH levels; studies have shown that a significant proportion of patients with ET have elevated LDH levels . . .

Anytime blood numbers are off, it's stressful. I'm so sorry you're experiencing this, nohrt4me. Would you let us know what you learn, please?

Thanks. Googled this many years ago. Not terribly worried, as this has happened before. In fact, running over 300 on LDH was normal for me until I went on HU in 2018.

But big jumps in anything warrant a check in.

May be related to heart problem, not ET, but since hemo ordered test, starting with her. If I don't hear today, I will call.

My biggest worry would be getting to the nearest lab thru the 8 inches of snow we're expecting overnite! I have been trying to get my husband to move into town, but he's not there yet.

P.S., Good point on the aspirin. I did ask the doc about aspirin back in December because folks had discussed on here. She said continue ASA but lay off other NSAIDS, such as ibuprofen. So I haven't taken any of that for over a month, and was surprised to see the LDH up.

This winter seems like is it never going to end.

Hope you can get this resolved soon.

Office responded yesterday that they got my message about elevated LDH and forwarded it to doc. Hope to hear by Friday if I need more tests. Guessing she'll ask me to repeat in a month to see if it goes back down. That seems to be the usual pattern with these lazy cancers.

It’s interesting that your LDH levels went up with the stopping of other NSAIDS except the aspirin. Wonder if there’s some underlying inflammation going on that was calmed with the ibuprofen. Aspirin is an anti inflammatory too but the low dose wouldn’t do much). Do you also have a comprehensive metabolic panel run with your monthly blood work? (AST, ALP, ALT, Bun, Bilirubin, etc.)

Hi nohrt4me,
My O/H think mine is high at 124! Everything depends on the template standard they use.

My messed up mitral valve could be the culprit, but the hemo ordered the test, so starting with her but reminding her of co-morbidities. I do not get the metabolic panel routinely, but have had in the past to rule out lupus, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis. Had some of the symptoms, but tests neg. I have felt real good, so last week's level was a surprise. Waiting, waiting.

There’s nothing like having a blood condition to teach one the art of patience and distraction, eh? 😅

Yes, that is true. My CO2 levels were supposedly high for years. The GP said that the docs in her clinic had bugged the lab to change them, which I noticed they did.

Same with platelets. Normals might top out at 400 or at 450, depending on the lab. Most hemos now eventually hit on a "normal, stable, and acceptable for you" range, depending on the patient's ET type, age, and clot risk.