Platelet Level Decrease - Common on HD?

[greeneyesinva]

My dad and I were going over his CBC and other blood draw numbers for the past several years to determine when exactly his platelet level started to fall and remain below the normal range...it was 6 months after starting HD. He was on PD for about 2 years prior to HD and had no issue with this. Has anyone else had this happen or does anyone note a correlation between HD and decreased platelet level?

Thanks!!!

[sullidog]

Is he on any thinners? I'm guessing he's on heperin, maybe he's getting too much?

[greeneyesinva]

He is on heparin--had started out on it when he began HD; was changed to a blood thinner called Citril (not sure about the spelling and can't find it online...)--the concern was that there were too many antibodies in his blood, so he was put back on heparin, which he receives at dialysis. Will try to find out what the dosage is...thanks for the starting point.

[M3Riddler]

My dad and I were going over his CBC and other blood draw numbers for the past several years to determine when exactly his platelet level started to fall and remain below the normal range...it was 6 months after starting HD. He was on PD for about 2 years prior to HD and had no issue with this. Has anyone else had this happen or does anyone note a correlation between HD and decreased platelet level?

Thanks!!!

Greeneyesinva,

You can be tested for Heparin Antibodies.  If so, there is another form of heparin that is produced. I will see If I can dig out the name.   What is your dads platelet level ?  I initially had an issue with very low platelets when I first started hemo dialysis...... I was tested for heparin antibodies and everything came back normal.   To this day, they do not know what caused it, but think I may have had some type of virus at the time.. Everything is now normal..