Tamoxifen and low blood platelet count?

margodae · July 2012

I have been taking Tamoxifen since Nov. 4, 2009. In the past three weeks I have noticed bruising all over my legs. I do not recall "bumping" into things to cause the bruises, they just appear. I have talked to my uncle whom is a retired oncologist. He told me to definately get my blood checked, as he has had two experiences of patients getting low platelet count from Tamoxifen. Has anyone else experienced this?

I googled "low platelet count" and it does say that it can be caused from medications, but it also says it can be caused from leukemia. Of course, this has me freaked out! I plan to call my GP on Monday.

Any feed back is much welcomed!

lmlola59 · February 2013

Hi margodee,

not sure if you will look back at this since it was posted in June but if so i am wondering how you have made out.

My platelets have been steadtily going down at each 3 month check up and I finished Chemo May 1st with mine at 245 and now they are 141.Onc tested my B12 and thyroid since i am also 12 lbs less since being diagnosed.Started Tamox Aug 1st.

Would love to know what the final outcome was for you.

Thanks

stella0926 · March 2013

Me too, my last chemo was last March. I started Tamoxifen. My platelet is going down very time checking CBC. Only platelet was abnormal , 89. Other counts were in the normal range.

ruthbru · March 2013

If you do chemo, it can take YEARS for your platelet count to get back to normal. Mine just started creeping up this year, over five years since I finished!

SpecialK · March 2013

It is important to note that you could do a CBC for five consecutive days and get five very different platelet counts. Platelets are much more fragile that other kinds of blood cells, and also die and reproduce more rapidly. The average lifespan of a platelet is 5-9 days, so counts can fluctuate quite a bit depending on the status of your platelets when the draw is done, normal range is anywhere between 150-450, although blood still clots at values below 150. Chemotherapy can definitely have an impact, sometimes for quite some time, on your platelets - but unless you are very low or very high - for an extended period, your docs will look for trending information on your counts. A lowered platelet count is listed as a rare side effect of Tamoxifen, but it can happen.

susan1964 · September 2013

I'm experiencing this now....I've been on Tamoxifen since April 2012, and I just got a CBC yesterday...up until now, platelet counts had been in the high 130s or low 140s, but yesterday, got a lower reading of 126,000...it did freak me out...I've since read that it's not dangerously low, but it still concerns me that it would drop so drastically...what would cause that kind of drop?

lmlola59 · September 2013

Hi Been on Tamox since Aug 2012 and my platelets where down for a coiple of visits in a 6 month span then 3 months later they were up and the white was down.My Onc said it could just be the way I wil be now but I went about 2 weeks ago and everything was up again in normal ranges.So I am hoping that I have recovered whatever was going on.

Charz · August 2014

Hi,

I am having a similar issue with my platelets dropping. One count has been 122 and the others have been 154 and 144. My platelets have been fluctuating and rising, but still low. I am wondering if any of you got to the bottom of what is causing your platelets to drop? I am a terrible worrier and fearing the worst.

I have read that it could be a sign that it has spread to bone marrow or that it even could be a symptom of tamoxifen in rare cases. I should have a low risk cancer. Trying not to fear the worst here.

Tamoxifen and low blood platelet count?

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