Silly Question (but I am still going to ask)

Has there ever been any research in to a potable platelet counter (similar to the sort of glucose counter that diabetics use)?

I can remember a discussion about that since I've been on the boards. If I remember correctly, checking platelets isn't quite as easy as checking sugar levels. I don't think the equipment would be real easy to use and kinda big and more than a normal person could afford!

Milly:

Ha- we've discussed this many times. Gretchen is right, it's not that easy to check platelets and the lab analyzers cost thousands. I think the majority of us have also said that it would induce obsessive platelet checking and that would get old fast. The difference with diabetics is that they have to check their sugar often or risk coma/death. People with low platelets don't need a count done every day. The consequences aren't nearly as dire. Once or twice a week was always plenty for me!

Yeah I suppose you could easily become obsessive with counts, I was more thinking of how often I see mothers on here and hard it is for them when the kids want to play sport, it would be good for those type of situations. I really feel for these kids.

Yeah, it is tough on the kids.

About a year ago, I'd asked my hemo if I could do my own counts, just for convenience of not having to come to his office or the lab. He said I could count them the old fashioned way: manually with a microscope and a slide, but it's complicated, involving staining of the platelets and other procedures. He was even willing to teach me! (I've been an ITP patient of his for over 30 years and he's actually become a friend).

As he went on and on about how to do it, I decided it was just too much trouble.

I don't think thats a silly question, it would be good in theory for the kids with ITP, but it would become too obsessive and you really don't need to know your counts every day like someone with diabetes needs to know their sugar levels every day. It is not a life or death thing to know your counts that often.

Yeah Angel your right about not having counts done every day.I remember when I first got ITP and the Drs where at that stage doing daily counts for about ten days and then they went to weekly for a couple of months it does make you very obsessive. I am now finding that I don't really think about it as much now that I am having monthly counts.
I just know as a parent and grand parent it would be a comfort to know what your childs count is as they are going to play football.
BTW I will be up your way next week, taking a holiday on the central coast.I hope the weather is good.