Lowering platelet level with food

Hi @panamsandy, There are diets posted online to potentially lower platelets by reducing inflammation in the body. But understanding the reasons behind elevated platelet counts is essential for determining effective strategies for reduction. In your case, if you have elevated platelets due to a genetic mutation such as JAK2, that is the driving force behind the proliferation of platelets in your body. So, from my understanding, diet alone won’t impact the platelet level and it won’t reverse the mutation.

Supplements need to be run past your hematologist first. Because they are often unregulated, testing is vague when it comes to combining with certain blood cancers or the medications used to treat them. Some of the supplements can act as blood thinners, or damage the liver or kidneys, or interfere with the efficacy of a medication.
Ha, but gurl, red wine and dark chocolate? Sign me up! LOL. Alas, right now I can’t have either one. But basically, eat healthy with foods rich in antioxidants/anti inflammatory properties like whose you mentioned. Following the Mediterranean diet is a good base because it tends to be whole, clean foods, no processed items, healthy fats and anti-inflammatory.
Have you started HU yet or just trying to find a way around it? Are you able to take baby aspirin?

Hi Lori! I really appreciate your comments, thank you. Last week I was diagnosed with a positive JAX2 and have been on baby aspirin (no HU...yet) and will have blood work every 3 months (my platelet count is 552). I do try to eat a healthy diet and continue to have a positive attitude. I wouldn't begin any supplements without the advice of of hematologist, but thanks for the advice. Thanks again for your comments. I wish you well.

@panamsandy, you may also wish to check out this related discussion:
- Essential Thrombocythemia (ET): foods, diet, nutrition?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/essential-thrombocythemia-et-foods-diet-nutrition/

Hi. I have Essential Thrombocythemia (high platelet count) without the JAK2 mutation. I've been under the care of a hematologist for 12 years and take Hydroxyurea daily for my ET. So far, this has worked to keep my platelet count normal, but the Hydroxyurea has the unfortunate side effect of destroying some of my red blood cells, thus, I must also take vitamin B12 and folic acid daily to counter this. That said, it simply isn't enough to counter the side effect and so my red cell count is always low and I'm anemic. However, I have done quite a bit of reading on foods for controling platelet count, especially pure unsweeted cranberry juice, which does lower platelet count. I have seen testimonies from people using this and they say that it is effective in maintaining normal platelet count (200,000 to 400,000). I am going to discuss this with my hematologist next week and see what he says about at least letting me try a one month trial in which I don't use the Hydroxyurea and, instead, use 8 oz. per day of cranberry juice instead. It is my hope that the cranberry juice will be sufficient to keep my platelet count below 400,000. If it can, then the B12 and Folic acid should create enough red blood cells to normailze my red cell count, as well. This would be a "win-win."

@garyr443

It will be good to hear what your hematologist has to say.

You're wise to get her (or his) advice before trying this experiment.

Yes, buy-in from your Hemo is always best..........but I sure hope it works. Besides surely the cranberry juice can't hurt. Can it?? Good luck and let us know.

@jodyjazz

I figure since he's prescribing the hydroxyurea, he should have some say in whether or not I want to replace it with the cranberry juice. But, as for whether it might hurt anything, I've checked it out very thoroughly and I know that it will not raise my platelet count or lower it so much I'd be in danger of essential thrombocytopenia. I also know it won't change my A1C by any significant amount and it will actually aid my kidneys. So, it's about as safe as it can get.

@janemc

I am anticipating he'll be resistant to quitting the hydroxyurea, which is why I'll propose a 1 month trial, just to see what happens. By then, I'll be tested again and we'll have lab results to show how effective it is and whether it's safe.

@jodyjazz
Sure better than drinking beer all day. 🙂