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Occasional large platelet

  • whatthehwegoingtodowiththiss
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14 years 5 months ago #14314 by whatthehwegoingtodowiththiss
Occasional large platelet was created by whatthehwegoingtodowiththiss
I have had ITP since 2008 and Bless the Lord I have been in normal range since last March. I sometimes had this show up on my CBCs since as far back as my notes go (09). I called my hema and she said its normal with ITP. But if your counts are ok (im on pred) then why is it like this.
Googling caused me a tail spin of anxiety.
The following user(s) said Thank You: benny
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14 years 5 months ago - 14 years 5 months ago #14320 by benny
Replied by benny on topic Re: Occasional large platelet
Hi Whatwegoingtodo,
I can only refer to what I have read about the subject, but my understanding is when you have ITP your body tries to make up for low platelet quantity by increasing the size of the remaining platelets. Somepeople who lets say have a count of 20 are not experiencing any bruising, this is thought to be because the smaller no of platelets with an increase in size can seal off the blood loss. Hope this helps and wish all goes well for you.
benny.
  • Sandi
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  • Sandi Forum Moderator Diagnosed in 1998, currently in remission. Diagnosed with Lupus in 2006. Last Count - 344k - 6-9-18
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14 years 5 months ago #14322 by Sandi
Replied by Sandi on topic Re: Occasional large platelet
Large platelets are called 'reticulated platelets' and that means they are brand new, young ones. Platelets shrink as they get older. In people with ITP, the platelets are destroyed quickly, so they tend to have more of the larger ones. It's actually a good thing, because they work very well and can be one reason why someone with ITP might have few symptoms with lower counts. It's nothing to worry about.
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14 years 5 months ago #14326 by destinygreenfield
Replied by destinygreenfield on topic Re: Occasional large platelet
Hi whatwegoingtodo,
Thank you for asking this bc I am new to ITP and I was wondering about the larger platlets as well.

Sandi,
Your so great at answering questions. Thank you.
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14 years 5 months ago #14327 by Tad Moody
Replied by Tad Moody on topic Re: Occasional large platelet
Not to brag, but I have large platelets, too.

To complicate and confuse the issue even further, the large platelets can sometimes be counted as white blood cells by the platelet counting machine, thus showing a false higher white count and lower platelet count! A manual slide count can be more accurate in those cases.
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14 years 5 months ago #14328 by benny
Replied by benny on topic Re: Occasional large platelet
I learned the real facts from you asking this question. Thanks
benny.
  • Sandi
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  • Sandi Forum Moderator Diagnosed in 1998, currently in remission. Diagnosed with Lupus in 2006. Last Count - 344k - 6-9-18
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14 years 5 months ago #14332 by Sandi
Replied by Sandi on topic Re: Occasional large platelet
Tad - thanks for pointing that out "the large platelets can sometimes be counted as white blood cells by the platelet counting machine" - you are correct!

You do brag too much. You're making us all jealous.
  • karenr
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  • Diagnosed in 2000, at 59, after being on moderately high doses of NSAIDs for arthritis. Splenectomy and rituxan both failed (2004). Did well on prednisone till summer 2018--then terrible reactions. Promacta since 11-19.
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14 years 5 months ago #14404 by karenr
Replied by karenr on topic Re: Occasional large platelet
Often my lab results say my platelets are "large," but every once in a while, the report says they are "giant"!
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