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Posted 11/20/2010 7:28 AM (GMT 0)
hubby's lab results are starting to be available.  his PT INR went down just a bit, from 13.6 to 13.4.  his GI doc says this is the most important test, so i am happy with the decrease...wish it was closer to normal (10.6 is high normal for our lab).  i was really disappointed in his platelets.  while still in the normal range, there was a 25% decrease.  from 213 to 160.  a month ago i was loving the 213 because it was well in the normal range.  we are still waiting for the other results.  

overall hubby has been feeling well.  biggest complaint right now is feeling very cold and achy joints.

i want to better understand the platelet/enlarged spleen connection.  what makes the platelets go down?  is there anything he can do to move the number up?  how low can they go?  can anyone share some information?

i know that he is not bad sick, but i want to be sure that he and i are both as educated as we can be about all this stuff so we can be sure to be doing all we can to keep him well.

he is alcohol free for 54 days now. 

emma

Posted 11/20/2010 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
Emma, PT and INR are actually a group of tests, with two different numbers. Prothombin time is how long it takes to clot. My hubby is at 26.3 And INR is a ratio. My hubby is at 2.42.

Hubby's platelet count is 102 these days. It has been as low as 60. Some folks with advanced liver disease are quite low. Hubby has had transfusion of platelets on two occasions.

I am not a medical person, but this is how I think of the platelet/spleen thing -- your bone marrow creates blood cells, including platelets. My hubby's are large and mishapen for some reason. He doesn't tmake enough of them...low platelet count. When they are finished doing their job, they are captured in the spleen. I am not quite sure how that works, but I guess a whole lot of old ones are captured in there and cant get out. My hubby's spleen is enlarged also. They talked one time about a spleeneglomy or some word like that.

Someone help both Emma and I out on this one?

ML
Posted 11/20/2010 8:26 PM (GMT 0)

ML, splenectomy?  You did a good job explaining the labs.  I know that sometimes patients must have an infusion of platelets if they get too low.  In an adult, the spleen creates lymphocytes and monocytes.  It also filters bacteria and particulate matter.  If bone marrow is damaged, the spleen can produce various blood cells.

Since I've not had low platelets or an enlarged spleen, I don't know much about those topics.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 11/21/2010 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
Okay so here goes.... enlarged spleen is common for Liver disease. Alot of what happens to the body is your liver(filter) cannot do its job so other organs try to compensate and take up the slack, they cant so they become over worked. The platelets will always be something to watch for in liver patients when it has declined, platelet production is regulated by thrombopoietin, a hormone usually produced by the liver and kidneys. ... as we know the lower the platelets the easier to bruise and the longer the bleed time. Usually you are only given platelets if in dire need. To many times can cause you to build up anyibodies you dont want or need. Also you have a low production of red blood cells which contribute to feeling cold and tired. Like trying to run your car with 1 quart of oil.... it cant maintain temp and over works itself. Yeah you can tell when ever Doug had an added issue I researched it, part of being OCD, even on meds I am an obsessive researcher! LOL. I was told the wouldnt remove Dougs spleen unless life or death due to complications from surgery. Its like some things are hand in hand, people with kidney failure usually will need a pancreas transplant also as that gets messed up with the kidney. The body is an amazing thing.....
Sue
Posted 11/21/2010 3:07 AM (GMT 0)
Sue, I'm glad we get to benefit from your OCD!  smilewinkgrin    When I studied body systems, it hit me what a machine the body is.  So your analogy of the car was a good one!

Hugs,

Connie

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