High Platelet Count

mr_angry

Does anyone know what significance a high platelet count in your blood has? According to my doctor, I have an extraordinarily high level, and I require further tests. He didn't tell me exactly what implications that has though.

Firstly, what do platelets actually do, and secondly, does anyone else have this problem? I dont want to be a hypochondriac, but I'm just curious.

Sposs

As far as i know i think they carry oxygen in your blood stream,
I've no idea what the implications are for having too much???

phaxx

As far as I know, they're used in clotting when you have a cut. Little bits that stick together and help to seal it all up.

Thats just me though, I know nothing about medicine. Better ask your doctor.

Beruthiel

how come you just didn't ask your doctor when you were with him!?

seamus

Platelets are involved in blood clotting. A very high count would seem to suggest that you clot very easily.

It's called thrombocytosis, and doesn't tend to cause any symptoms in younger people, but can lead to complications in later life. Not much to be worried about.

http://www.ehendrick.org/healthy/001352.htm

mr_angry

Originally posted by Beruthiel
how come you just didn't as your doctor when you were with him!?

Got involved in a conversation about the Rugby, and I forgot to ask him! Can't be that serious, huh?

I had a very bad case of the flu at the time of the blood screening, so he reckons it was a result of the infection, and he's hoping it'll have returned to normal by now. He says he was quite astonised by the level though. I believe he described my results as "arseways", to quote him directly.

ferdi

as far as i know you are at greater risk of DVT

yellum

A good old fashioned blood letting will help you with that.

And then maybe leeches.

MojoMaker

Have you ever undergone a serious course of medical treatment Mr Angry? Sometimes platelet count can rise as a result of infection or invasive medical procedures such as chemo/radio therapy. I don't believe it's anything to worry about, but ask the doc next time you're in or a friend relative that is a nurse perhaps?

TBH - you could probably find out on the net pretty easily.

mr_angry

Have you ever undergone a serious course of medical treatment Mr Angry?

No, I've never undergone serious medical treatment. Like I said though, I had one hell of a dose of the flu - couldn't leave the house for 3 weeks!

TBH - you could probably find out on the net pretty easily.

That was the purpose of this thread really!

eth0_

Originally posted by mr_angry4
Got involved in a conversation about the Rugby, and I forgot to ask him! Can't be that serious, huh?

No, if it was a serious problem he'd have told you
You're just a freak of nature heh

eth0_

Originally posted by mr_angry4

That was the purpose of this thread really!

He means you should really have googled it...

Stark

Originally posted by yellum
A good old fashioned blood letting will help you with that.

And then maybe leeches.

You might have to drain some other humours to balance things. I recommend the vitrious humour

embee

DVT is pretty nasty. I was hospitalized last year after a soft clot formed in my thigh.... it soon turned hard and was dispersed by way of some Warfarin and a weird thing like a wire which had this tiny tiny expandable claw on the end to smoosh it up....
Overproduction of platelets can make you more susceptible to Deep Vein Thrombosis, but I shouldnt worry too much. Oh boy, would you know if you had DVT. The pain is like a really really intense ache that gets progessively worse until you cant walk etc.
Oh and also, the affected area goes a lovely shade of blue/purple.
Bit of a bummer for girls though - you cant take the contraceptive pill if you have high platelets or are prone to clots.

Stark

Would blood-thinners like aspirin help?

embee

Aspirin would thin your blood, but it would do nothing to reduce your platelet count. That would require a more specialised treatment - a doctors consultation would be in order.....

mr_angry

Originally posted by eth0_
He means you should really have googled it...

Yeah, but lets face it - Boards is the lazy person's Google! All the answers were here... and some mad opinions too!

I've seen the effects of DVT first hand - I was on a plane to Australia, and a woman had to be treated by the emergency services for it on the way off. Pretty nasty. Long flights seem to have that effect though.