Things that effect platelet count

Hi I have had ITP for about 5 years now on and off. My count was ok for a little bit but about a month ago my count dropped to 4K and my doctor decided to see if I could go up on my own without steroids.
Now to my question during the 4 weeks of having low count I was experimenting and was taking 65mg of iron everyday for about 3 weeks and it looked like it was helping less bruising, petechiae was going away, less bleeding and I thought maybe my count was going up. Got a count done and count was still 4K. So obviously it didn't raise my platelets but could it have done something (clotted my blood, help the bruises, etc)? My doctor said it was just a coincidence but I don't think so... Any ideas?? P.S. I have never been anemic and still am not.
Question 2, what are the effects of alcohol on platelets? My boyfriends dad is a doctor and said that alcohol destroys platelets and doesn't think I should drink. I asked my doctor and he said he had never heard of that but that alcohol does make blood thinner. I do understand that thinner blood could be bad if I have low platelets but destroying platelets and blood thinning are pretty different. Has anyone else heard of alcohol destroying/killing platelets? I just turned 21 and maybe I am just fishing for an answer that will make me happy but I will admit it, I like to drink and I want to party with my friends every once in a while. That being said obviously my safety is more important than partying but I don't not want to drink and find out it wouldn't have effected my platelet count either way.
Last question, (ha ha sorry I have been thinking a lot) my parents were watching Dateline or one of those night news shows and it was about medical marijuana. It was saying how marijuana can help things like nausea, etc. But there is a new study that it could help with some cancers and blood disorders. Never heard of this has anyone else? Could be interesting if it could help ITP.

Those are really good questions.
I know a little that might be helpful.
1) there are other factors beyond platelet count that deal with clotting and bleeding. Sometimes people with ITP have younger and stickier platelets that may be more effective at clotting than older non-sticky platelets. Some on this board have reported that over time their body seems to 'get used' to having less platelets and they have fewer symptoms. Sometimes we get more careful about bumping into stuff.

2) Alcoholics can have very serious platelet problems so alcohol at that level of use and body abuse can affect platelets. Whether low and normal levels of alcohol consumption affects platelets is controversial. I suspect it might vary just like some are more sensitive to various foods and chemicals than others.

3) I hope so! Haven't heard anything about it.
Erica

I thought I had just submitted this, so if it appears twice now, I apologize.

About alcohol use for ITPers who have inflammatory diseases like arthritis: Since I am not allowed to take NSAIDs or any anti-inflammatory other than prednisone, I rely heavily on Tylenol for pain. Medical folks tell me that since I take close to the maximum Tylenol allowed if I am having severe joint pain, it is good that I don't drink alcohol--since both Tylenol and alcohol affect the liver.

Thanks for the posts! eklein, i do agree with you in that your body does get used to having low platelets my doctor did actually tell me that he was looking at my platelets under the microscope and they are a lot bigger than the average platelet size meaning that they could be more effective just like you were saying. It was just really weird that the iron seemed to get rid of my symptoms and then I stopped taking it and within a couple of days my symptoms came back. Could be in my head ha ha but it was just a weird thing.
Have you heard of any type of food or natural remedy that has helped to raise platelet count? I have read up on things like acupuncture and that doesn't seem to work so well. Maybe vitamins that have helped?

Ann posted a list a couple of times recently of all the foods and supplements that someone on the board has claimed raised counts. Ann? Can you post it again here? Also, you could search for 'blueberry' because I know that was one of them.

If we knew of something that worked we would eat it or drink it.
Erica

Here you go..

Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Homeopathy
Acupuncture
Meditation
Gluten free diet
Essential oils
Chinese herbs
Physical exercise
Helminthic therapy
Fasting
Bloodwell herbs
Euphorbia hirta
Cayenne pepper
Phycocyanin
Bergamot oil
Colostrum
Transfer factor
Hornbeam
Plantago major
Anamu
Revigor
Goji juice
Blood stim liquescence
Celery
Orange juice
Asparagus
Papaya leaf extract
Blueberry

Ann, please let me know how the list of vitamins and foods have affected your platelets? Did you platelets get higher by using the vitamins, minerals, and foods listed?

My platelet count was -6k yesterday. I Have IVIG nearly every 5 weeks for past 1-1/2 years. I know it can't be that safe for me to do, not to mention the trama and cost.

I feel desperate for help with the I.T.P. which was brought on by taking a shingles vaccine last April 2010.

Ann just collected the list, she hasn't tried all of them! That would be like the book The Year of Living Biblically or the book about the woman who cooked all of Julia Child's recipes or the person who read the Encyclopedia Britannica from end to end. A lot for one person and you would have to write a book about it when you are done.

You should search the board on the keywords of the different items, like search for 'blueberry' or 'blueberries' and you'll find the stories of people who suggested or tried each thing.

We'd all like something that worked and was safe and easy and nearly free. I think we're lucky when we find something that works.
Erica

I was suprised to read fasting....

It not something I would do naturally and what happens when one starts to eat again. If anyone is thinking of trying any of the list to improve their platelet count then the only real way is with the Doc go ahead for it to be scientifically proven. It be interesting if some people could carry out genuine research of what helps them and record it all here so it become a useful resource. It can be tricky because we may think its that where as it something completely different but good luck to any of you who are thinking of properly trying anything from the list

eklein wrote: Ann posted a list a couple of times recently of all the foods and supplements that someone on the board has claimed raised counts. Ann? Can you post it again here? Also, you could search for 'blueberry' because I know that was one of them.



oops and I thought from memory of reading the list somewhere on here that blueberry can decreased platelets.... it be good to get things on parr

I was reading a heatlth article and it was saying something about dandelion flowers and that they are an anti-inflammatory. I was just thinking that is what prednisone is right? The article was saying to dry out the flower and put it in your tea. I have wanted to try it out and will let you guys know but i just wanted to check if my logic is right? Can someone help me better understand what prednisone does to raise platelet counts?

Rhiannon,
just because someone said they heard something increases platelets doesn't mean it does. Ann's list is a compilation of the things people on the board have heard, or read, or been told, or guessed increased platelets. Anyone can make a claim or a guess. It isn't an evidence based list.
Erica

Rhiannon wrote:

eklein wrote: Ann posted a list a couple of times recently of all the foods and supplements that someone on the board has claimed raised counts. Ann? Can you post it again here? Also, you could search for 'blueberry' because I know that was one of them.



oops and I thought from memory of reading the list somewhere on here that blueberry can decreased platelets.... it be good to get things on parr

According to the PDSA:

www.pdsa.org/about-itp/warnings.html
This list contains food and supplements that can change the way platelets work and make it more difficult for your blood to clot. They do not reduce the platelet count unless noted. A small quantity of these substances will probably be safe and not cause a problem.

blueberries

Yep, PDSA says blueberries can maybe adversely affect clotting for ITP. And here's a whole thread talking about blueberries that makes claims in both directions: www.pdsa.org/forum/5-newly-diagnosed-a-frequently-asked-questions/6483-blueberries.html?limit=10&start=10#13754

I have yet to see any citations to research supporting any effect of blueberries on clotting and platelets and ITP. I was just saying making the statement (including PDSA when it is not supported with citations) does not make it so.
Erica

OK I stand corrected, there is a citation on the PDSA site to an article that mentions how blueberries affect something related to clotting: 19 Mazza GJ. “Anthocyanins and heart health.” Ann Ist Super Sanita. 2007;43(4):369-74. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18209270

Abstract
Anthocyanins are the largest group of water-soluble pigments in the plant kingdom and belong to the family of compounds known as flavonoids. Major sources of anthocyanins are blueberries, cherries, raspberries, strawberries, black currants, purple grapes and red wine. In recent years several studies have shown that anthocyanins display a wide range of biological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-carcinogenic activities. In addition they display a variety of effects on blood vessels, platelets and lipoproteins able to reduce the risk of coronary heart diseases. However, until the absorption and metabolic fate of anthocyanins in vivo is unravelled, it would be unwise to conclude that a high consumption of them will reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Long-term intervention trials must be properly designed and carried out to provide definite proof. In the meantime a more complete knowledge of the identity of anthocyanin metabolites and their tissue distribution should be reached.


Erica

Oh Erica I wasn't trying to correct anyone - how the site does a quote now is goofy. Rhiannon had mentioned that blueberries can decrease platelets so thought I'd let her know what the warnings section of the PDSA said - not a decrease but can make difficult to clot.

Personally I think the food bit is like the treatment bit - what goes for one doesn't always go for the other [meaning - blueberries may keep someone from clotting properly but the next person it won't have an effect on]. I don't stay away from any food - and I really haven't added a food hoping it will increase platelets.

I was reading a heatlth article and it was saying something about dandelion flowers and that they are an anti-inflammatory. I was just thinking that is what prednisone is right? The article was saying to dry out the flower and put it in your tea. I have wanted to try it out and will let you guys know but i just wanted to check if my logic is right? Can someone help me better understand what prednisone does to raise platelet counts?

Prednisone is also an immunosuppressant so it stops the immune system from producing antibodies against the platelets so the body stops killing them off. Taking an anti-inflammatory will not help.

Foods high in vitamin K "may" help... it depends on how your body reacts...

Cauliflower, Broccoli, Cabbage, Spinach, Brussel Sprouts, Parsley,

does anyone know if eating raw nuts reduce platelet count??

The platelet count is reduced because the body thinks that the platelets are a virus or bacteria so it makes antibodies against them and kills them off. Eating nuts or anything else is not going to increase, or decrease come to that, the production of those antibodies.

Actually, Ann, (and Victoriah) there is one case where nuts could "cause" a lower platelet count. If someone has an allergy to a food, it can make the immune system more active thus lowering platelet count as more platelets get destroyed. When my boy had all his food allergies his hema implored us to make sure we were keeping them in check as the inflammation caused by a food reaction would make the platelet destruction worse. When antibodies to a food are causing the body to react it makes the antibodies to platelets more reactive at that moment as well.

So it's not the food causing it per se, it's an allergy to the food, but it is important to note that this can happen. Nuts are a high allergen so if you're seeing a reaction in your platelets you may actually be allergic to them. Raw or otherwise would not matter. And in some instances raw could produce a worse reaction. When a food is cooked (or roasted) a lot of the actual enzyme is cooked out of it making it *possible* to create a lesser reaction in the body. But with ITP, any immune (allergic) reaction is not good.

Thus we were sooooooo happy when my boys 40+ food allergies said their good-byes.

This is a good site which explains allergies. www.medicinenet.com/food_allergy/article.htm

Regarding alcohol and ITP, I can say from my experience, alcohol seems to really effect me harshley even if just one beer or one drink after being diagnosed with ITP. I turned 21 3 years ago and drank socially, and at time too much, but it never effected me negatively. About 3-4 months after turning 21, I was diagnosed with ITP after going to a doctor for my unexplained bruising. I was treated with Prednisone and after a month and a half, the ITP seemed to clear up, and then 2-3 months after I became pregnant. My pregnancy went really good with no talks of ITP remission so I figured it was just an acute case and I was no longer going to have to deal with ITP. Wrong! 2 months after my son was born I had a horrible bleeding incidence where I had to go to the hospital after passing out in the shower. Strangely, the hospital said my platelet count was fine that my hemoglobin had been the culprit. Yet, after a week after my platelets dropped and here we are 2 years later and I've been back and forth on Prednisone. I am not sure if my drinking had begun my Itp, but I no longer miss doing it besides the rare occasions we are out to dinner and I really want a margarita of course! When I do give in, I just feel awful internally. I feel like my immune system is just crashing and I become very lathargic and ill like. Does anyone else experience this?

Charlotte,
Feeling bad after an alcoholic beverage may be because you are allergic to one or more of the components of the drink. My sister is allergic to nitrites, and they are in a lot of alcoholic drinks.
Beth

Hi, I have also experienced a sensitivity to alcohol. I start feeling very woozy fast and I used to be able to drink a lot. Not any more. I also get fatigued at times in a weird way. Can't figure out a rhyme or reason to it. I am in remission for over a year now, having been dx in Oct 2010. I didn't respond to pred but rutuxin did the trick.

I also have stopped eating processed foods, sugar, dairy and wheat. I figure that if my immune system is reacting to something, I am not going to add anything in the mix that might affect platelets. Since giving up all those foods, I have felt so much better and my cholesterol dropped 30 points! So other than the occasional fatigue symptoms and alcohol sensitivity, I feel pretty lucky right now.

I'm very curious. Toward the holidays my numbers started dropping. My December was in the 60's. Well I was prepared to stop doing things at the beginning of the new year (I'm extremely active). So when it came to New years I decided that I wanted to drink. It might have been a stupid choice since I hadn't had more than two drinks at a time since diagnosed in March. But hey it was a bad year and I wanted to celebrate a new start.

Well here is what I'm wondering. I got really drunk on new years eve. Like freshman year of college feeling like death the next two days drunk. I was really worried when I went to get my CBC January 2nd. To my surprise my numbers doubled. For the first time since off of treatments my numbers were over 100,000!

Has anyone had this kind of results after a night out?

I know a lot of people have their numbers go down after going out, but have any gone up?

I have had ITP now for 2 years. alcohol can be a reason for low counts, what the doctor had me do was not drink for three month and see if your counts go up. Mine did not so we ruled out the alcohol. Yippee. He still does not want me drinking alot.