Not sure if this is me yet or not...

Hi everyone.
I go back to my hematologist tomorrow. I guess the fact that I have a hematologist says I am at least flirting with being with this club.
I had my first noticed platelet failing last yet. They went to 89k. Low but not horrible from what I am hearing. Basically I changed my diet (Did Whole30) and my numbers went back up. Well... they are down again. I was in the ER with Kidney Stones and they were down to 37k. I go back to her tomorrow.
I have fatty liver as well. She thinks it may be connected, but the GI dr she sent me to says it isn't so I am more confused than ever. Do any of you also have fatty liver? Does being 50lbs over weight make it worse for me? My MVP levels are SLIGHTLY high does that mean anything?

Thank you for any help you can give.
Kathy

Hi Kathy. I don't know if they can totally rule out fatty liver being a contributing cause to low platelets. Some members here have had it, but not many. Sometimes any type of problem with the liver can cause lower than normal platelets. I don't know if that is the case with you or not. Being slightly overweight does not make a difference with ITP, but it may for the fatty liver disease. Just curious, did you stick to the diet the entire time?

"Due to the increasing prevalence of liver disease in the UK, especially alcoholic liver disease (ALD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and viral hepatitis, it is particularly important to be aware of thrombocytopenia as a marker of liver damage.10–12 To reduce the complications associated with advanced liver disease, early detection is paramount. Recognition by primary practitioners that liver disease may be present even in the absence of overt clinical signs or deranged liver function tests is important.

Numerous studies prove the association between platelet count and liver disease, however there are few that document the relative frequencies of these causes in a general population. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the role of liver disease as a cause of thrombocytopenia in both outpatients and inpatients within a teaching hospital population. This will assist primary care practitioners when assessing a patient with an unknown cause of thrombocytopenia."

academic.oup.com/qjmed/article/106/5/425/1541856/Liver-disease-as-a-cause-of-thrombocytopenia

Sandi, would you know? Would ALT or AST values be off for this type of issue?

I would think so, Hal. Maybe not in early stages.

As of now, those levels are fine. I go to the hematologist today. Feel like I am going to get back on a merry-go-round. All tests and no answers. Not going anywhere.
And I was faithful with whole30 for about9 months. Did one every other or every 3 months. It was just too strict to maintain. But... going off I likely went too far the other way. I clearly can't be "normal" Ugh. Or really just need to redefine what "normal" is.

Trying not to get discouraged, but as of now not doing so well at it. I want answers and feel I am just going to get more tests with inconclusive answers.

There usually aren't many answers when it comes to ITP. You will probably have to look at ITP and fatty liver as two separate disorders and treat them that way.

Just got back from my dr. My platelets dropped a bit more. now at 27k. She put me on steriods and I got back friday morning. If they are up, great, if not she wants to keep me for a bit. She officially diagnosed me with ITP.

Does diet & excersize help?

She wants to keep you? Keep you where?

Diet and exercise may or may not help. In your case, it just might and certainly won't hurt. Anything that improves your general state of well-being is a good thing for everyone. If your ITP is connected to fatty liver, diet may improve both. There was a time when I did not believe that food played a big role in health but my thinking has totally changed after a lot of research. I watched What The Health on Netflix last night and it got me all pumped to change my diet (again) and try to improve my health. I'm at a point where I'm tired of being so dependent on medications and the power that they have over me. There is nothing to lose.

after doing whole30 I know that diet is HUGE. I plan on staying mostly on it, just not as strict. Whole foods, low carb and low sugar just makes sense. If you want a jump start to better eating again, I HIGHLY recommend a month of whole30.

My dr said if my platelets didn't jump up she was going to short term admit me just to give me blood and medicine. Even though my numbers aren't at a dangerous level the drop from 186 to 28 has her concerned so they I guess want to blast me to see if I respond? So far I trust her and will do as she asks.