Plunging Platelets..What does it mean???

[Terri B]

And how can I fix it? Is there some food that I can eat or avoid?

My platelets have been fine. Last week they were at 305. Today, they are 154!

I guess I need to stay away from sharp objects!

[chrisy]

Terri,

Do you know what caused the drop? I'm assuming it is treatment related? Some treatments can cause a drop in platelets and if this is treatment related they may rebound somewhat on their own. For example, the treatment I'm on causes a precipitous drop in platelets but they come back up rapidly.

[Terri B]

Chrisy,

I don't have a clue. I wouldn't think it was treatment related simply because it has been 2 weeks since treatment. I don't feel bad at all.
:::???:::

[dlaxague]

Yes, Terri, it's most likely chemo-related. Platelets can be affected, just like white blood cells. I think that the nadir (lowest point) after chemo is around 10 days so that's typical timing. Mine got down around 100 at times, during A/C (but I'd forgotten - your post prompted me to dredge up my records).

There's neupogen/neulasta for WBC. I don't know if there's anything for platelets. I don't think so. But your levels aren't low enough to need to do anything about it anyway. Most labs have a low-normal cut off near 150K and there is little danger until levels are below 50K.

Debbie Laxague

[Terri B]

Thanks for the response Deb, that made me feel a little more comfortable. I guess I can gauge my worries by how I feel. Like I said before, I feel fine.

I just wanted to make sure that if i ate any mexican food, I wouldn't bleed to death!
)

[freyja]

My white blood cell count goes way down one week after every chemo treatment, for about 10 days, then shoots back up again. They fall so low that my onc prescribes antibiotics for me to take during those days...probably because I also have a son in kindergarten bringing home plenty of germs every day! Just be cautious of cuts and scrapes, avoid people who are sick, and crowded places, but if the mexican food feels good, eat it!