Cirrhotics often have low platelets. There are several causes including: sequestration of platelets in the enlarged spleen,
decreased thrombopoeitin production, bone marrow depression (often autoimmune) etc.
After SVR, portal hypertension resolves and the spleen gets smaller. Platelets slowly start to rise, but may not get over 100k.
This is quite OK at your age.
Also, platelet counts can vary from day to day- the difference between 75k and 84k is really not significant.
Get the count repeated in 6 months- I'm sure you'll be happy. CHEERS.
malekula man said
Mar 29, 2015
They are low but stable... I'm in 34-42 range all the therapy...
Rubye said
Mar 29, 2015
whoops - "moved" was supposed to be liver.
Rubye said
Mar 29, 2015
Thanks Tig. I understand how low platelets come about and enlarged spleens and portal hypertension but it is more like my thinking is that if the moved gets better then the enlarged spleen should get smaller and the platelets higher but maybe it takes longer for the healthier liver to affect the spleen. I don't know but would like to. I sent an email to my doctor but last time I asked him about platelets he responded that they will never get better. I think that was his way of dismissing me.
Tig said
Mar 29, 2015
Hi Rubye,
This is a question that Malcolm is qualified to answer. So I'm sure he will add his thoughts today. There are several things that can be responsible for causing low platelets. Any other medications you might be on, a reaction to your recent treatment and your cirrhosis could be part of it. If your spleen is enlarged(secondary to the cirrhosis), it can reduce your platelet count because it stores a percentage of your platelets. An enlarged spleen holds additional platelets, thus reducing the count. Now that you have achieved SVR, your liver is going to be happier and hopefully you'll see an improvement. If your count ever gets too low, your doctor has several corrective options. Here's some info on the subject that will help explain it.
I am very curious about why 12 weeks after treatment my platelets have gotten lower while my liver enzymes have gotten so much better, and so am wondering if there is any relationship between these two things.
Before treatment my platelets were 65, got up to 84 during treatment and at 3 weeks after tx, but are now down to 75 at 12 weeks after. I'm undetected. My liver enzymes are those of a perfectly healthy liver and I was thinking that it looks like my liver is perhaps beginning to heal or at least is not suffering any new damage. So, this makes me think that the platelets while maybe not getting any better, should also not get any lower.
I understand that 75 is not that low but am more curious then worried.
Hi Rubye,
Cirrhotics often have low platelets. There are several causes including: sequestration of platelets in the enlarged spleen,
decreased thrombopoeitin production, bone marrow depression (often autoimmune) etc.
After SVR, portal hypertension resolves and the spleen gets smaller. Platelets slowly start to rise, but may not get over 100k.
This is quite OK at your age.
Also, platelet counts can vary from day to day- the difference between 75k and 84k is really not significant.
Get the count repeated in 6 months- I'm sure you'll be happy. CHEERS.
whoops - "moved" was supposed to be liver.
Thanks Tig. I understand how low platelets come about and enlarged spleens and portal hypertension but it is more like my thinking is that if the moved gets better then the enlarged spleen should get smaller and the platelets higher but maybe it takes longer for the healthier liver to affect the spleen. I don't know but would like to. I sent an email to my doctor but last time I asked him about platelets he responded that they will never get better. I think that was his way of dismissing me.
Hi Rubye,
This is a question that Malcolm is qualified to answer. So I'm sure he will add his thoughts today. There are several things that can be responsible for causing low platelets. Any other medications you might be on, a reaction to your recent treatment and your cirrhosis could be part of it. If your spleen is enlarged(secondary to the cirrhosis), it can reduce your platelet count because it stores a percentage of your platelets. An enlarged spleen holds additional platelets, thus reducing the count. Now that you have achieved SVR, your liver is going to be happier and hopefully you'll see an improvement. If your count ever gets too low, your doctor has several corrective options. Here's some info on the subject that will help explain it.
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/thcp/causes
Tig
I am very curious about why 12 weeks after treatment my platelets have gotten lower while my liver enzymes have gotten so much better, and so am wondering if there is any relationship between these two things.
Before treatment my platelets were 65, got up to 84 during treatment and at 3 weeks after tx, but are now down to 75 at 12 weeks after. I'm undetected. My liver enzymes are those of a perfectly healthy liver and I was thinking that it looks like my liver is perhaps beginning to heal or at least is not suffering any new damage. So, this makes me think that the platelets while maybe not getting any better, should also not get any lower.
I understand that 75 is not that low but am more curious then worried.