Question 1

drs.i have low platelet count for years .and ranges 90-150 .recent report 120. can i take omega 3s supplement.?

Accepted Answer

You may, but why?: It is generally not a good idea to take medication that may not be needed. There is no conclusive proof that fish oil will improve health, except for high blood levels of triglycerides. Eat a balanced diet and you do not need supplements.

Question 2

how can i increase platelet count on my own?  any foods, or supplements, or vitamins?

Accepted Answer

Folic acid: Is probably the most likely nutrient missing in your diet.  Others are common in multivitamins, so if you're taking one of those you should improve.  Vitamin B12 would be a close second in this regard.  As for foods, eat food high in these substances, like lentils!

Question 3

would cancer cause only elevated platelet count? my platelets are 420. i googled it and it was confusing so decided to ask here. no other symptoms. i do have low vitamin d and on iron supplements even though my iron been normal for over a year?

Accepted Answer

: High platelet count can be the first and only sign of serious bone marrow disease, especially chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), myelodysplasia, and similar problems. Early treatment is important and can be extremely helpful. If your platelet count remains in this range after 2-3 blood counts, ask your PCP for further evaluation, such as consultation with a hematologist-oncologist. Good luck.

Question 4

i recently was told to see a hematologist for a platelet count over 450k. all other levels normal. i havent been feeling well.  should i be worried?

Accepted Answer

No: All laboratory results need to be interpreted in the clinical context and the doctor who ordered the tests is usually in the best position to do that.  Having said that, seeing a hematologist is prudent. It may be as simple as iron deficiency that is easily treatable.

Question 5

why would my platelet count go from 455 to 816 in six days? my dr. didn't seem to concerned about it. thanks?

Accepted Answer

: Sudden increases in total platelet count may be lab errors, but if a repeat test confirms the second value, consult a hematologist, as blood clotting can occur with abnormally high platelet counts.

Question 6

is it normal that my platelet count has changed from 146 to 150 after 4 months of taking iron? isnt it slow ?

Accepted Answer

Same numbers: In the grand scheme of things, 146,000 and 150,000 are the same number when counting platelets. There is no difference. Life is not exact. Sometimes numbers like these make a difference to what a doctor is thinking, but generally not. For example, putting the same blood draw into 2 separate tubes and sending both tubes to the lab might give you 146,000 in one tube and 150,000 in the other tube.

Question 7

32 y.o. female, over the last 5 yrs my platelet count have gotten low. i take iron daily but if i don't they will get low quick. what can cause this?

Accepted Answer

Huh?: I suspect you mean red blood cells as they are dependent upon adequate iron stores for production and are often low in menstruating and birthing females.  If you are not symptomatic and degree of anemia is mild I do not see you should be worried.  It might make sense to use an ocp to help control menstrual loss. Red meats are a great source of iron. Take your iron with an acid juice or vit c.

Question 8

i read over exertion can lead to slight elevation of platelet due to dehydration. how come fasting for 12 hours doesn't affect platelet count result ?

Accepted Answer

Depends : Traditionally, fasting for bloodwork does not require you to not drink water. In fact, you're encouraged to drink water in order to maintain normal hydration while you are restricting other electrolytes and sugar which could cause aberrant values. Technically the dehydration cause by refraining from liquids may potentially be sufficient to falsely elevate both the hematocrit and the platelet count.

Question 9

hi! in 2017 i had a platelet count of 318. this year i got a platelet count of 405. is this normal? why would it jump? i dont have any symptoms of concern?

Accepted Answer

: The platelet count may vary and if there is inflammation or an infection, a repeat test may be indicated. 
Please follow up with your PCP.

Question 10

is a platelet count 425 normal??

Accepted Answer

: It depends, it has to do with the normal range for the specific lab used for your cell counts. Majority of labs have the upper limit  in the 400-450 range for platelets.

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Doctor answers about:

Supplements that affect platelet count

A member asked:

Drs.i have low platelet count for years .and ranges 90-150 .recent report 120. can i take omega 3s supplement.?

A member asked:

How can i increase platelet count on my own? any foods, or supplements, or vitamins?

A member asked:

Would cancer cause only elevated platelet count? my platelets are 420. i googled it and it was confusing so decided to ask here. no other symptoms. i do have low vitamin d and on iron supplements even though my iron been normal for over a year?

A member asked:

I recently was told to see a hematologist for a platelet count over 450k. all other levels normal. i havent been feeling well. should i be worried?

A member asked:

Why would my platelet count go from 455 to 816 in six days? my dr. didn't seem to concerned about it. thanks?

A member asked:

Is it normal that my platelet count has changed from 146 to 150 after 4 months of taking iron? isnt it slow ?

A member asked:

32 y.o. female, over the last 5 yrs my platelet count have gotten low. i take iron daily but if i don't they will get low quick. what can cause this?

A member asked:

I read over exertion can lead to slight elevation of platelet due to dehydration. how come fasting for 12 hours doesn't affect platelet count result ?

A member asked:

Hi! in 2017 i had a platelet count of 318. this year i got a platelet count of 405. is this normal? why would it jump? i dont have any symptoms of concern?

A member asked:

Is a platelet count 425 normal??

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