Platelet Levels And HD

[greeneyesinva]

Hi!

Does anyone know if there is some relationship between decreased platelet levels in HD patients and hemodialysis? Six months after my dad (85 years old) started HD, his platelet levels plummeted well below the normal range (150-400) and have stayed there; he sees a hematologist a couple of times a year but he has not suggested any type of medication, therapy, etc.

Thanks!!

[bevvy5]

Funny you should ask this question.  Hubby is in training for home hemo and his platelets have dropped to about 170.  Nurse suggested it could be becuase he's currently on warfarin because of a problem with an IV line.

I asked if there's anything they can do to boost it and the nurse said, "Not really."  She mentioned it to hubby's Neph who didn't seem worried about it at this stage.

Not sure that's helpful but just found this out today.

[boswife]

Love to hear more on this!!

[greeneyesinva]

That's really interesting...my dad's level (since 6 months after HD began) has run between 54 and 104. He is anticipating possible graft surgery next week and the surgeon says he won't operate unless his level is 68 or higher. I will see if my dad will permit me to contact his nurse practitioner and ask if there might be a correlation between blood thinners and platelet levels...it's important to him, as a senior particularly, to have control over who does what relating to his health. If/when I find out more, I will post!!

Have a great day, everyone!