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Low platelets: my oncologist is advising bone marrow biopsy

Posted by tyson1221 @tyson1221, Nov 15, 2022

Hi everyone just lookin for advice I have recently had cbc which revealed low platelets count of 40,000 I have no symptoms or bleeding an my oncologist is advising bone marrow biopsy an looking for others here about their opinion on if that’s necessary I’m a stage 3 colon ca survivor from 2015 with lung nodule resection in 2018 an have been cancer free

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Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Nov 15, 2022

Hi @tyson1221 Our bone marrow is the blood manufacturing site in our bodies. Whenever there is a questionable situation going on with our blood, that can’t be completely explained with blood tests, often an oncologist or hematologist will order a bone marrow biopsy & exam. (BMBX). This allows a complete study of the marrow and blood cells by a pathologist to determine if there is any disease involvement.

Your doctor is just being thorough. A platelet count of 40,000 is getting down there; A bone marrow biopsy will help answer or eliminate possibilities. So, from my humble opinion, being a veteran of 13 BMBXs, I’d suggest following your doctor’s guidance and have this procedure done. Have you ever had a bone marrow biopsy before?

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1 reply
tyson1221 | @tyson1221 | Nov 15, 2022
In reply to @loribmt "Hi @tyson1221 Our bone marrow is the blood manufacturing site in our bodies. Whenever there is..." + (show)
@loribmt

Hi @tyson1221 Our bone marrow is the blood manufacturing site in our bodies. Whenever there is a questionable situation going on with our blood, that can’t be completely explained with blood tests, often an oncologist or hematologist will order a bone marrow biopsy & exam. (BMBX). This allows a complete study of the marrow and blood cells by a pathologist to determine if there is any disease involvement.

Your doctor is just being thorough. A platelet count of 40,000 is getting down there; A bone marrow biopsy will help answer or eliminate possibilities. So, from my humble opinion, being a veteran of 13 BMBXs, I’d suggest following your doctor’s guidance and have this procedure done. Have you ever had a bone marrow biopsy before?

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Thank you for responding an no never had bmb befor just having been thru surgeries in past for cancer an chemo I don’t like to be over treated but I gotta stay ahead of this an was just seein wat others experiences out there were an was wondering why not try diet vitamins for couple months an then see how platelets are an have also heard Covid has done this to other people

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Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Nov 15, 2022
In reply to @tyson1221 "Thank you for responding an no never had bmb befor just having been thru surgeries in..." + (show)
@tyson1221

Thank you for responding an no never had bmb befor just having been thru surgeries in past for cancer an chemo I don’t like to be over treated but I gotta stay ahead of this an was just seein wat others experiences out there were an was wondering why not try diet vitamins for couple months an then see how platelets are an have also heard Covid has done this to other people

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I can fully understand not wanting to over treat symptoms or the desire to work holistically to correct a problem. But with potential blood diseases, it’s best to find the root of the problem to catch anything early…and that is within the bone marrow.

The BMBX isn’t a treatment at all, it is a diagnostic test and for peace of mind, it would be a good idea to just have that done if your doctor is recommending it.

If you try the supplement route, make sure you talk this over with your oncologist first. And if you’re reticent to have the test, also discuss that with your doctor to see if watchful waiting is an option. But with a platelet level of 40,000, when normal ranges should about 150,000 to 450,000, it’s a signal that there is a “error code” that needs to be investigated. Covid can be a consideration as well as other potential issues. But your doctor is right to pursue this. What do you think? 🙂

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1 reply
tyson1221 | @tyson1221 | Nov 15, 2022
In reply to @loribmt "I can fully understand not wanting to over treat symptoms or the desire to work holistically..." + (show)
@loribmt

I can fully understand not wanting to over treat symptoms or the desire to work holistically to correct a problem. But with potential blood diseases, it’s best to find the root of the problem to catch anything early…and that is within the bone marrow.

The BMBX isn’t a treatment at all, it is a diagnostic test and for peace of mind, it would be a good idea to just have that done if your doctor is recommending it.

If you try the supplement route, make sure you talk this over with your oncologist first. And if you’re reticent to have the test, also discuss that with your doctor to see if watchful waiting is an option. But with a platelet level of 40,000, when normal ranges should about 150,000 to 450,000, it’s a signal that there is a “error code” that needs to be investigated. Covid can be a consideration as well as other potential issues. But your doctor is right to pursue this. What do you think? 🙂

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Yes I agree an will go forward with a bmb if he says to an keep my fingers crossed 👍😎

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