Platelet count...

[the blue wildebeest]

Today I had a call from one of the GPs at the surgery to tell me that the repeat blood test shows a further fall in my platelet count. Last year it was 153, but low nineties recently caused a call back for the repeat. I am now on 83. (I do not know the units used for the count.)
Could this be a result of long term use of Metformin, short term use of Gliclazide, or a low carb diet?
Does anyone have a similar experience?
(At my last meeting with a GP, two medical students were present, one of whom thought there might be signs of an enlarged spleen. The GP considered it normal after his examination. Apparently my blood pressure was slightly high.)
Awaiting a referral...

 

[Amigo]

Hi blue wildebeest, I'm sorry you have thrombocytopenia (low platelets) and an enlarged spleen could be responsible for gobbling them up. Sometimes enlarged spleens are difficult to detect on ordinary examination and an ultrasound is needed. You'll probably be referred to a haematologist to investigate the cause of the low platelet count (it becomes a more serious concern under 50) but should normally be 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood.

There's many reasons for this so don't be spooked reading Dr. Google but in honesty I've never heard of metformin or low carb diets causing reduced platelets. Ibuprofen, naproxen, omprezole and some antibiotics etc. can cause thrombocytopenia however (and many other medications including quinine) which is why I'm reluctant to take them. Anaemia can be implicated and conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. An autoimmune condition called ITP can also gobble them up (Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura).

Hope you get your referral soon but don't be panicking because treatment is possible once the cause is identified. Hope all goes well.

 

[happydog]

My husband has had thrombocytopenia for over 30 years. We have had our scares but he has always recovered. Until last year he regularly saw a haematologist and had regular blood tests. The doctors think that his is autoimmune but don't really seem to know the cause. This is always flagged up when he has an operation, Hope they sort out your problem soon. There are some very good medications for it. 🙂 Pease try not to be too anxious.

 

[the blue wildebeest]

Hi blue wildebeest, I'm sorry you have thrombocytopenia (low platelets) and an enlarged spleen could be responsible for gobbling them up. Sometimes enlarged spleens are difficult to detect on ordinary examination and an ultrasound is needed. You'll probably be referred to a haematologist to investigate the cause of the low platelet count (it becomes a more serious concern under 50) but should normally be 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood.

There's many reasons for this so don't be spooked reading Dr. Google but in honesty I've never heard of metformin or low carb diets causing reduced platelets. Ibuprofen, naproxen, omprezole and some antibiotics etc. can cause thrombocytopenia however (and many other medications including quinine) which is why I'm reluctant to take them. Anaemia can be implicated and conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. An autoimmune condition called ITP can also gobble them up (Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura).

Hope you get your referral soon but don't be panicking because treatment is possible once the cause is identified. Hope all goes well.

My husband has had thrombocytopenia for over 30 years. We have had our scares but he has always recovered. Until last year he regularly saw a haematologist and had regular blood tests. The doctors think that his is autoimmune but don't really seem to know the cause. This is always flagged up when he has an operation, Hope they sort out your problem soon. There are some very good medications for it. 🙂 Pease try not to be too anxious.

Thank you both.
I think that as this was unknown to me, and the GP called me it was slightly disconcerting, as he advised me to go to A&E if there were any unusual effects, bleeding, etc. I suppose he is just being cautious.
For some months I was taking a diminishing quantity of the Gliclazide, Zicron, which lists possible side effects including low platelet count, but on Metformin alone I had a morning BG today of 12, and still 9.6 by 1pm. Recent HbA1cs have been 43 in January, and 47 two weeks ago.
Onward, ever onward!😉