Essential Thrombocytosis: Do platelets ever decrease without meds?

@garyr443
ET affects approximately 1 to 24 individuals per million globally.
In the United States, the incidence is estimated at 0.6 to 2.5 cases per 100,000 people annually.
The condition is more commonly diagnosed in adults, particularly those around 60 years old, but it can also occur in younger individuals.

This rarity contributes to challenges in diagnosis and treatment, as many healthcare providers may not be familiar with the condition

I have ET with the MPL mutation. I've read that the mutations are due to environmental exposures from a variety of known and unknown exposures (e.g. x-rays, chemicals, et cetera). My platelets were high for the past 25 plus years and I was on active watch but nothing was done until the count started increasing to the high 600's then 700's to 800s and high 900's, They were relatively steady for much of that time in my 30's to my 50"s. But now at 64 suddenly they are a problem where in a few months they jumped from mid 700's to 981.

I was having alot of symptoms that were related to ET that I wasn't aware were caused by it. I was incredibly lethargic and could not get myself going and I 'd wake up with very bad headaches that debilitated me for much of the day. I didn't understand why this was happening; was I not drinking enough water? Was I depressed (causing the lack of energy)?

After getting put on Hydrea, my platelets started dropping, I regained energy and wasn't having headaches as much. So hydrea was liberating for me. With hydrea, I notice that I need to drink more water, my skin always feels very dry. I am also taking iron and I don't know if it is just the iron or maybe the Hydrea also - give me constipatio which I have to manage. My first hematologist told me that no food can help to reduce my platelets as I had read that blueberries could help reduce platelets - but after hearing that, I dropped the effort.

Good luck to you

I have ET with the MPL mutation. I've read that the mutations are due to environmental exposures from a variety of known and unknown exposures (e.g. x-rays, chemicals, et cetera). My platelets were high for the past 25 plus years and I was on active watch but nothing was done until the count started increasing to the high 600's then 700's to 800s and high 900's, They were relatively steady for much of that time in my 30's to my 50"s. But now at 64 suddenly they are a problem where in a few months they jumped from mid 700's to 981.

I was having alot of symptoms that were related to ET that I wasn't aware were caused by it. I was incredibly lethargic and could not get myself going and I 'd wake up with very bad headaches that debilitated me for much of the day. I didn't understand why this was happening; was I not drinking enough water? Was I depressed (causing the lack of energy)?

After getting put on Hydrea, my platelets started dropping, I regained energy and wasn't having headaches as much. So hydrea was liberating for me. With hydrea, I notice that I need to drink more water, my skin always feels very dry. I am also taking iron and I don't know if it is just the iron or maybe the Hydrea also - give me constipatio which I have to manage. My first hematologist told me that no food can help to reduce my platelets as I had read that blueberries could help reduce platelets - but after hearing that, I dropped the effort.

Good luck to you

@garyr443
ET affects approximately 1 to 24 individuals per million globally.
In the United States, the incidence is estimated at 0.6 to 2.5 cases per 100,000 people annually.
The condition is more commonly diagnosed in adults, particularly those around 60 years old, but it can also occur in younger individuals.

This rarity contributes to challenges in diagnosis and treatment, as many healthcare providers may not be familiar with the condition

@mmkennedy Similar story to yours. I grew up in the 1950s/60s near a chemical plant. Too many people at my 50th class reunion with blood cancers for me to think it's a coincidence.

The HU helped with symptoms at first. Been on it x 8 years. I also have constipation. Certain yoga exercises + water + more fiber help.

I am supposed to have cardiac surgery and have to go off HU for two weeks prior. So if that goes thru, we'll see how I feel off HU.

Would donating platelets at the Red Cross 4 times a year lower platelets enough so you would not have to take Hydroxyurea? Can you donate only platelets and not red and white blood cells? Thanks!