Posts by swiftgull37

Hvala, I already have a second doctor lined up, so I'll leave some impressions once I've actually seen them.

Who is the best urologist in Chicago? Based on your own experiences, is there anyone specific you'd recommend at the Suburban neighborhood urology clinic?

I'm wondering where I can get a high-quality abdominal ultrasound done—should I go through a hospital or stick to a private clinic? I really need a solid recommendation for a specialist (kidney focus) who will give me a thorough exam and actually has experience dealing with kidney disease and renal function. My last scan from the UVZ Organization showed that both kidneys are shrunken. I'm currently in Chicago, but I'm open to suggestions for doctors in other cities too. Thanks!

swiftgull37 said:I just had my abdominal ultrasound, and everything came back clear. Now I'm just waiting on my first appointment with a gastroenterologist, even though I don't really have any digestive issues (I used to, but just a little bit).

I also forgot to mention that the ultrasound showed my kidneys are looking a bit smaller than they should be, shifted more to the right. My doctor said she wants to monitor them every 5 months now...
As for me, I don't feel too bad energy-wise or strength-wise, besides that weird sensation under my ribs.

Maria Fisher46 said:Hi there,

I consider thrombocytopenia to be anything where the platelet count drops below 150x10^9/L, so based on what you've taken, your levels aren't actually low yet.

On the other hand, like you mentioned, you're dealing with iron-deficiency anemia. It’s actually possible for your red blood cell count and platelet count to be linked. Usually, when people have iron deficiency, we see a higher platelet count—thrombocytosis—but there are cases where platelets run low, though that’s extremely rare.

Did you guys ever figure out what was causing that anemia? Was it heavy periods, or maybe some GI bleeding?

Has anyone here had a peripheral blood smear done?

So, besides all that, have you been dealing with any other symptoms?

You might see elevated Factor VIII levels during times of inflammation, an infection, or even just because of pregnancy or taking oral contraceptives. That said, sometimes it can just be a natural part of how someone is built, without any specific underlying cause at all.

Aside from the fact that this could be linked to anemia—though you didn't mention what's causing that—a drop in platelet counts can actually be its own separate issue entirely, regardless of whatever anemia you're dealing with.

When you see a case of mild, isolated thrombocytopenia in an adult, the most common culprit is usually immune thrombocytopenia. Typically, the standard protocol involves running a peripheral blood smear and testing for HIV and Hepatitis C, then deciding on further tests based on what the clinical situation calls for.

Since it isn't really clear from your message what kind of symptoms you're dealing with—especially with that iron-deficiency anemia in the background—I can't say for sure if you need more testing done right away. It might be enough just to keep an eye on your platelet count, maybe checking in once a month.

Nicholas Myers, thank you so much for all your hard work and those answers!
Regarding what might be causing this anemia—I just had an abdominal ultrasound done, and everything came back clear. Now I'm just waiting on my first appointment with a gastroenterologist, though I don't really have any digestive issues (well, I used to, but not much lately). My periods have been heavy, but that's also how they were back when my iron levels were higher.
I went in for more blood work today. I'm honestly not sure if they did a peripheral blood smear or not—
My platelet count is at 153 now, exactly one month after my last update when they were at 153.
Platelets. 133 (158-424)
mpv 9.0 (6.8-10.4)
Note: Citrate

Platelets: 97 (Ref range: 158-424)e
MPV 9.6 (6.8-10.4)
NOTE: Heparin

Platelets: 139 (Normal range: 158-424)
MPV 9.9 (Range: 6.8–10.4)
Note: EDTA

I'm still planning on working on those anti-platelet antibodies.

I haven't done an HIV test yet—though I'm pretty sure I'm in the clear there—nor have I tested for Hepatitis C.

I've been dealing with some abdominal pain, but it’s not digestion issues. It’s more on the side—right under the ribs, though sometimes I feel it on the left too. My urine has been looking darker lately, and my tests showed a high bacteria count, even though the urine culture came back sterile. Right now, I'm feeling a bit of pain on my right side, but nothing too alarming, just a light discomfort.

I just got ten ampules of iron administered through my IV.

Thanks anyway, everyone. Just wanted to update you all—it's been another month and my platelet count is dropping again :-(
Last year on this date, I was at 276. My doctor asked if I’d been taking any specific medications lately. I haven't really taken anything substantial—just my vitamins. I did use some Neofen and Normabel a few times for my back, plus some topical gel for my spine. I also used a corticosteroid inhaler for a couple of months, took some Augmentin, and did two months of evening primrose oil capsules. I tried spirulina for a very short bit, along with Vitamin C and iron, though I had to stop the iron because it was messing with my stomach.

Can tea actually cause your platelet count to drop? I'm honestly stumped on what else could be triggering a dip like that.
The only thing I can think of that I actually started taking was herbal teas.

I also wanted to add the results from the end of my last page here.
Here are the values:

Antithrombin activity 92.6% (75.0 - 125.0)
FVIII 2.04 kIU/L (0.50 - 1.49)
FIX 1.13 kIU/L (0.55 - 1.63)
FXI 0.70 kIU/L (0.67 - 1.27)
VWF activity 144.4% (49.5 - 187.0)

Hi Nicholas Myers,

I was wondering if you could tell me if I should be worried. For about a year now, I've been getting regular CBC tests done because of an iron deficiency. So far, my other related values haven't been concerning. However, on this week's results, my platelets were 153 (range: 158-424). On its own, that wouldn't bother me too much (even though it's below the minimum), but they have dropped quite drastically since my last check in August—when platelets were 200. Back in March and May, they were 170, and in late December 2015, they were 207, while at the end of November 2015, they were 276.

Is it normal for them to drop this much, or rather, to be in a constant decline?

Here are some other results that might be useful for context; if you need more from my CBC (which is currently within range), I'll happily provide them.

PT/APTV - 23 (22-28)
PT/APTV ratio - 0.9 (0.8-1.2)
fibrinogen - 3.4 (1.8-3.5)

RDW - 15.7 (9 - 15)

Sodium (141, range: 137-146) and Potassium 4.7 (range: 3.9-5.1) are both within the reference range.

Gamma-glutamyl transferase 8 (9-35)

I've done the CBC and other tests, and everything else is within the normal limits.

All my thyroid hormones and antibodies are fine—monitored over several months—as is my thyroid ultrasound. Androsteroid is elevated.

Actually, I mainly wanted to ask for your opinion regarding the platelets. It's not so much that they are below the threshold that worries me, but rather that they've decreased so significantly over the past year (essentially a steady downward trend when looking at the history).

Also, if you have any suggestions on what else I should get checked, I’m all ears. When my CBC was particularly bad, my doctor just told me to eat a more varied diet and didn't refer me for further testing. I ended up doing some of the follow-ups on my own, though I did go back to request certain labs (but again, she didn't specifically order them for me).

Hi everyone, I just got some results back for my thyroid and certain sex hormones (I’ll probably need to run more tests soon too...)

I'm female, and my androstenedione came back at 13.8 (using the CLIA method; the reference interval is 0.7-12.9)

Note and comment: D5

Could someone help me make sense of this before my doctor's appointment? These were just part of my annual checkup... what could this mean?

I also had LH, FSH, PRL, and a full thyroid panel done. If it helps, I can post all my other values too. Also, my T/P ratio is right at the lower limit at 23, and the T/P ratio is also at the bottom at 0.9, while my fibrinogen is at the high end at 3.4. I'm not on any birth control. I've been having pretty heavy periods lately...
If you think I should provide any more info, please let me know.