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Essential thrombocythemia (ET): When to start hydroxyurea (HU)?

Posted by anavleek @anavleek, Apr 9 10:58pm

I was just diagnosed with ET. I am 61 years old. My platelet count is 640k right now.
Doctor suggested I take a baby aspirin everyday and HU. I am hesitant about taking HU. I have heard of doctors waiting till the platelet count is higher to take HU.
Any insight? How bad is HU for your body, I was reading it can cause cancer too.
Thank you

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jbcl | @jbcl | 5 days ago

So sorry to hear about your hip and ankle injury. That has the be so painful and frustrating. Praying all goes well with the CBC check. I was on Hydroxyurea for one month before the first check..... don't be discouraged if the numbers have not changed ...they will!

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diannerk | @diannerk | 1 day ago
In reply to @rivieramaya2009 "@diannerk In 1992 or 93 I was diagnosed with ET. My platelets were 1.5 million and..." + (show)
Profile picture for rivieramaya2009 @rivieramaya2009

@diannerk In 1992 or 93 I was diagnosed with ET. My platelets were 1.5 million and no side effects from disease. Hydrea was able to get them down to 400k. Another drug came on the market Agrylin, which the doctor thought might be a safer drug. Took it for a few years. Dr was retiring and told him since my blood counts were normal that I was not going to take any more meds. This was before high platelets were classified as cancer! They called it a blood disorder. For at least 20 years, my platelets remained normal until Jun 2025 when I was diagnosed with MF. Hopefully, you’ll do well with this drug since it’s been on the market for years. Wishing you well.

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@rivieramaya2009 Thank you! Yes, I am lucky it is recognized today and there is an answer to the problem. And good luck with your on-going health. What is MF? I'm new to all this.

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rivieramaya2009 | @rivieramaya2009 | 1 day ago
In reply to @diannerk "@rivieramaya2009 Thank you! Yes, I am lucky it is recognized today and there is an answer..." + (show)
Profile picture for diannerk @diannerk

@rivieramaya2009 Thank you! Yes, I am lucky it is recognized today and there is an answer to the problem. And good luck with your on-going health. What is MF? I'm new to all this.

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@diannerk MF is the abbreviation for Myelofibrosis. It is one of three diseases that are MPN’s (myeloproliferative Neoplasms. MF being the most serious. Take care!

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