High Platelets

Some people are just advised to take a low dose aspirin for protection against clots. Great you have a hematology appointment.

I am 78, had 621 platelets, and was recently diagnosed with ET JAK2…now taking 500 mg Hydroxyurea every other day. Since I am on a blood thinner for AFib I do not have to take a low dose aspirin.

Eileen G.

My husband, age 72, had his platelets go up to 892 over a 4 week period along with his white blood cell count 27 at one point, a SED rate of 109 and CRP of 450. The doctors had no answer for these numbers. He was a heavy drinker but these numbers scared him so he stopped drinking altogether and now the numbers are normal. I'm not sure if the drinking had a direct cause an effect because he has been drinking all his life, so why now would it cause such high numbers. Anyway, I hope this was in same small way a help to you...good luck !

Thank you for your response. I am also on a blood thinner so I assume that will help with clotting issues. Good to know!

Thank you for your response. I do enjoy a glass of wine but they are weeks apart. So I doubt that is the cause. But congrats to your husband for his improving health!

Hi @mtnlife, you might find the posts in this related discussion to be helpful and informative:
- High platelet count: What does this mean? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/high-platelet-count/

Thanks for your post. I am now 75 and found Essential Thrombocythemia as my first chronic disease. I began a battle with high platelet count about 5 years ago. My platelets from Essential Thrombocythemia were over 1.0 million without any drugs until my first 2 doses of the Moderna SARS2 vaccine and spike proteins in early 2021. The vaccine caused my platelet count to exceed 1.5 million and I noticed pressure in my brain. At that point, I began to follow the prescription of my Oncologist to take Hydroxyurea. The platelet count dropped to .4 million with 2 pills per day and caused my tongue to swell and become inflamed. My Oncologist adjusted the dosage to 9 pills per week and the platelet count was .6 million in my last blood test. I believe the long term effects of large doses of Hydroxyurea include fatal pancreas disease, so I am evaluating periodic cessation of the Hydroxyurea. The balancing game of the jungle of drugs and side effects never ends. This is my medical experience and I hope it helps you deal with an undefined fear of stroke used to coerce compliance with drug usage.

I originally had a platelet count of 555 that started my journey. I was diagnosed with both polycythemia vera and myelo fibrosis. They most likely will order a bone marrow biopsy at some point. I have been on Hydroxyurea for 4 years and Jakafi for 7 months. I totally agree that the balancing game of drugs never ends. I am also on Plavix for blood thinner. Good luck!

Is there anyone out there that has been diagnosed with both polycythemia vera and myelo fibrosis? Also, is anyone on both Jakafi and Hydroxyureau medications. If so, what are your experiences?

I was recently diagnosed with Essential Thrombocythemia.
My platelets were up to 700,000.
I am taking hydroxyurea, 500 mg a day. Today was my 7 th day.
I became really sluggish today. Any advice on getting lethargic and napping ?

Were you originally diagnosed by extensive labs and a bone marrow biopsy? Are you seeing an MPN specialist?

I just started my journey in June 2022 after platelets rose slowly over several years. When I first saw the hematologist my platelets jumped from 621 to 735. She immediately ordered extensive labs and did a bone marrow biopsy. My diagnosis is ET JAK2.

I started on 500 mg Hydroxyurea every day but had headache issues. I am currently on Hydroxyurea 500 mg every other day and hope to be able to continue that dosage if platelet count is okay, My next labs are the beginning of January.