Spiculated mass and high platelet count

Tweeta

I had a mammogram recently that showed a spiculated mass. I checked my last physical in January and it said my platelet count was 449, high. My doc wasn't worried about it then. Now, I'm reading that it's a sign of the very bad cancer. Has anyone else had high platelet numbers?

eviec1

I just got a high platelet count on my blood test and am freaking out, too Sorry I don't have anything helpful, but am curious about the answers you'll get.

Tweeta

Well, I guess we're not alone . I'll definitely let you know. It's so painful because my doc is out for the week and I can't even get in until next week. Trying to deep breathe!

eviec1

I do know that a high platelet count can be caused by various things - even stress apparently. And one high reading doesn't necessarily mean your platelets are always high - they can go up and down. But when you combine a high count with breast cancer (or a bad mamm, etc), it is REALLY hard not to worry and Dr, Google has not been very reassuring on that front. Hopefully others will have more experience with this!

Tweeta

Lord knows stress has been high with the pandemic. I started donating blood every 8 weeks since last summer and haven't been unusually slow except for my last trip, and I got a little stressed when the bag fell off and they started talking about resticking me to finish it. I'm hoping it's a sign that the platelets aren't that bad off. Anyway, thanks for understanding. I'll definitely be asking the doc when I see him next Weds.

2019whatayear

well FWIW I think if you google anything medical or of the top answers is always that it’s a sign of cancer . Overall one test result is usually not very meaningful. It’s typically trends and even with a trend there are lots of other things that can be going on besides cancer so I would not get too anxious about it

eviec1

Take this with a grain a salt because I really don't much about this at all...But would donating blood cause an elevated platelet count? I know another thing that can cause it is blood loss (from surgery, injury, etc). Wouldn't giving blood have a similar effect? Or no?

Tweeta

Yes I've looked that up and also aspirin use because I started using it over ibuprofen in the last year. From what I can tell, it doesn't have too much of an effect, but may make you more anemic. I'm certainly hoping that's a potential explanation, though! I dread blood donation, but know it's good, and now that there's a threat of being banned from it for a cancer diagnosis, I am mourning the potential loss of it.

I'm definitely praying I'm making mountains out of molehills. I just the those "general trend" statements. Cause you're definitely bad off in all of them

Moderators

Keep us posted, Tweeta!

jhl

Tweeta,

Your platelet count is not that high really. Remember, a blood draw is a moment in time. We can't evaluate the platelet count without evaluating the entire CBC values. If you were a bit dehydrated at the time of the blood draw, some of your values may be high. Evaluation of dehydration can only be done retrospectively based on the values of some of your other CBC levels. There are lots & lots of reasons for a high platelet count and the relationship to cancer is only one. It is not diagnostic of cancer.

Your doc wasn't worried & you trust him/her with your health. Try not to borrow trouble.

Jane

Tweeta

Thank you! That does make me feel better.