Hi Wiggins32....My nurse practitioner was the person who found the causative factor of my high platelet count by doing a JAK2 blood test. That took about two weeks for a diagnosis to emerge and a gene mutation was the causative factor for the high platelets and low iron for me. From there, she referred me to a hematologist/oncologist and he is the one who ordered the bone marrow biopsy. He did that to make sure that was all that was going on with my elevated blood platelets (no other type of cancer). I am fairly new to this forum and this diagnosis - ET or Essential Thrombocythemia, so I am learning as well. Be your own advocate.....my Primary Care Physician blew me off when my platelets were high - over 600 - last March - said it was no big deal. I am so glad that I happened to "only" see his nurse practitioner in August - she hit the ground running looking for and testing for any reason that the platelets were over 600. She is the one who ordered the JAK2 blood test. My oncologist was amazed with her. She was methodical with her approach and he said she did everything right. My iron was low and she put me on a low dose of supplemental iron. I was so blessed and will always be so grateful for her aggressive approach. I am doing much better now - had an initial outbreak of mouth sores from the Hydroxyurea they had prescribed. Was taken off for about 5 days and now back on for every other day and doing nicely so far. Platelet count is in the normal range now. Hoping you get the clear diagnosis soon.
Ginger