when is it too many?? + pramacta

I am astounded when I read about platelet counts in the hundreds (200's, 300's, 400's).
Is there such a thing as too many platelets?
A former hematologist told me that a lower platelet count is an advantage with certain other disorders. Back then I had a range of about 30 (rarely) to 50's and 70's (rare).

Also, I would like if you feel different with platelets in the multiple hundreds.
Ia am now on promacata. After taking 50mg for 5 days - no change yet. My count was still 15. I was a little disappointed, I am anxious to see my count rise. I have only 1 side only sideeffect from promacta: I get sleepy, tired; since I am new to promacta this probably disappear.

Yes, to many platelets can be a problem also, I was surprised to meet someone who has to many and we joked about sharing the platelets. I've attached just one of several sites that reference it en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrombocytosis

After taking 50mg for 5 days - no change yet.

Hang in there.
Everyone reacts differently....but....When I first started on Promacta (1.5 years ago), 50mg only took me from 4k to 13k over a couple of weeks. Increased the dosage to 75mg/day and it went up to 32k in another week. After a year, dosage was decreased back to 50mg/day...has remained stable around 40k-50k.
Only one side effect? Consider yourself very fortunate in that respect.

BTW- I wish my counts zoomed into the multiple hundreds on Promacta or anything!

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I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. Promacta is keeping me at 250+. I'm happy with that number I just wish it wasn't because of medicine that I'm there. And I'm still concerned about it taking me that high. It's only supposed to keep one at around 50 or so.

They don't worry about too many platelets until it is over 410,00. In February at my yearly checkup my counts were 420k So my dr had me come back in 3 months for a check-up and they were 67k and a week after that 17k so that is when we found the ITP was no longer in remission.

Yes, it can be a problem for some people with counts in the hundreds. I'm one of them. I have Antiphospholipid Antibodies and take a daily aspirin to keep platelets from sticking. APS Antibodies can cause clots. According to research, 33% of people with ITP have the antibodies. Some people with ITP and APS use blood thinners. Many don't know they have it. My hemo refused to test for it for years and when I finally got my rheumatologist to order the tests, I found out I did have the antibodies. I much prefer counts below 100.

dru wrote: They don't worry about too many platelets until it is over 410,00.

They do if you're on Promacta or Nplate because the drug forces the body to constantly make new platelets, so you have a lot of new, large platelets which are far more sticky and effective than old, smaller platelets. With those TPO drugs you are not supposed to aim at getting a normal count.

A too high platelet count can be dangerous.

I had a platelet count of 1 million during my early Nplate treatment. My hemo withheld that week's Nplate and gave me an aspirin right then. He told me to take an aspirin a day for a few days then come in for a count.

That freaked me out! A million platelets! I was picturing my blood turning into Jell-O or something.

That evening, I decided to celebrate the fact that the Nplate was finally working by having a couple Gin and Tonics. (My favorite drink which I'd been avoiding for 20 years.)

After my counts settled into the 100K to 200K range, he advised me to take 1/2 aspirin a day, which I have been doing for over a year now.

Rebel! :woohoo: