Mek2 coincidence

Posted by elcy @elcy, 13 hours ago

I was just diagnosed with 2 ET.
A very close friend of mine from high school also has it. We are in our 70s now we were wondering if maybe we were exposed to something back then.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Blood Cancers & Disorders Support Group.

swalex | @swalex | 11 hours ago

Could it be JAK2?

here some hint:
Essential Thrombocythemia with JAK2 Mutation: Standard Treatments, Natural Strategies, and the Risks of Self-Medication
https://swaresearch.blogspot.com/2025/11/essential-thrombocythemia-with-jak2.html

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | 1 hour ago

Welcome to Mayo Connect, @elcy I’m a little confused with the title Mek2 and wondering, as did @swalex in their reply to you, if you possibly meant JAK2, which is often the genetic mutation behind Essential thrombocythemia (ET). There are also other genetic mutations associated with ET, but the JAK2 mutation is the most common.

When there is a mutation with this particular gene it interferes with the body’s ability to control production of certain cells. In the case of ET, it is platelet cells, which are responsible for helping the blood clot. All it takes is one cell to misfire with this mutation to set the ball rolling. That defective cell divides, creating two more, those two divide into 4, etc.. Eventually there can be an overload of too many platelets.

You and your friend may never know what caused the mutation. The fact that you both developed this Myeloproliferative disease at the same time may be entirely coincidental though I’m sure it has you questioning potential causes.

Here is a little more information about ET that you might find helpful as a tutorial. From Very Well Health
https://www.verywellhealth.com/essential-thrombocythemia-2860907
We also have a very active and supportive ET group in Connect. There are numerous discussion with members so I’ve done a little search to get you started.
Here are the results of two searches for you:
~Essential Thrombocythemia
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/
~ET
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/
Feel free to scroll through the topics and jump into any conversation that catches your eye. Your friend may also like to join Connect where you can talk with members @nohrt4me, @janemc @1995victoria @williamsjen @1pearl
@janetbender @drbart86, just to name a very few…

What type of treatment has your doctor suggested for you?

Please sign in or register to post a reply.