31 weeks pregnant, high WBC, Low Platelet..scared!

I was given a probable diagnoses of ITP (we didnt do a bone marrow to confirm tho) before I fell pregnant.. I'm now 31 weeks. The ITP issue cropped up after a miscarriage. I'm 22 yrs old no other health concerns.

My platelets stay between 60,000-120,000. I never have bleeding issues. Or bruising.

Since pregnant, my White blood count has risen. It went from the 11-12 range, to 15. They say leukocytosis was possible, and pregnancy can induce it. I also have a tooth that needs a root canal, if that could cause minor elevation of WBC. My hemo didn't think so. ???

My hematologist said lets just monitor things for now. But that was after he terrified me and told me theres a chance it could be leukemia..he was very rude, and insensitive about it and didn't ease any of my fears. We did a flocytometry to and that showed no evidence of chronic leukemias (I insited that he do that test after he scared me talking about leukemias). However, now he is saying it doesn't rule out pre-leukemias. He wanted to do a bone marrow aspiration (while Im pregnant).

So I have switched Doctors, I found his bedside manner unappealing, and didn't appreciate how abrasive he was in handling my care, basically he told a pregnant woman she could have leukemia, before explaining himself. He also admitted he has never dealt with pregnant patients, so he is unaware of the things pregnancy itself can cause. I left each appointment with him in tears, so clearly he was not the right doctor for me.

NOW I am stressed, and scared thinking the worst. I have my new hematologist appt Wednesday. My OB seems to think its possible all of this is caused BY the pregnancy. But not being a blood expert, she wants me to consult with a hemo to make sure we're on track.

Has anyone here had a similar thing happen? My gut feels like the 1st hema blew this out of proportion, and that my body is just strange from pregnancy. I hope. i'm extremely stressed over this, and thats definately not good for baby!

Any thoughts? :S

Hello!

First of all, congratulations on your pregnancy! That is so exciting. Second of all, I'm so glad you changed doctors, he sounded like a real asshole. Let me tell you what I know or have heard from reading posts on here. I have had ITP for over a year with up and down platelet counts anywhere from 20,000 to 280,000. A number of 60,000 to 120,000 is really a good number. I wouldn't jump the gun and completely say that you have chronic ITP. Pregnancy can do a doozy on your body and many times ITP can be JUST because of your pregnancy. Your hormones are going crazy right now and that could be the possible reason for your blood work. My hema has insisted numerous times that pregnancy can cause the body to go haywire and has thus advised me not to get pregnant anytime soon until we can make my platelets stay in a safe zone. What does your other blood work show? Red blood cells? Hemoglobin? I think there is a very high possibility that you are right: your body is just strange from pregnancy. Have you been sick or feeling bad lately...that could explain the WBC count. Also, the flocytometry test looked good, so I wouldn't freak out. I bet this is all pregnancy induced. I feel you did the right thing in switching doctors. It is so important to have a good relationship with someone who is treating you! Also, keep in mind that your platelet count is not that low. Many people here wouldn't even treat with counts like that. I know when I was diagnosed, I had to do a bone marrow aspirate and it wasn't all that bad. Meet with your new doctor and see what he/she thinks. They may want to do a bone marrow test, it seems like it is standard procedure to find out what is causing this. BUT....they may just contribute it to your pregnancy and monitor you for the time being. I wouldn't worry too much about it. It was a good idea for you to get a second opinion! Also, browse the message boards, you will probably find some valuable information from people who have been in your exact situation. Good luck with everything and keep us posted! We're here to help you through this!

My hemoglobin, red blood count, everything ELSE is perfect.

I dont know what terminology all stands for but I also had a CML and FISH?? tests done and those were all normal. Prior to my miscarriage, Id never had my platelet count done so for all I know, I could have had ITP forever.

We first detected the ITP after a miscarriage though...I miscarried, had a count of 94,000...3 months later, was pregnant again. So I feel my body has stayed in a pregnant state, so to speak. I havent had any chance to rebound from pregnancy hormones, to yield 100% accurate results, IMO. I think (from a non doctor opinion) its not wise to jump to conclusions so early when these tests actually can change due to pregnancy.

I am not sick *at all*.. No aches, no pains.. I have allergies alot this time of year though and that does sometimes make my immune system go down. (ontop of pregnancy, which I know drags a woman down!)

I also tested neg for anti coagulant lupus test, whatever that means.

I was just a panicky mess, because my old hemo makes it sound like having these abnormal results = leukemia issues. My husband said if I hadn't extensively tested, I'd have never KNOWN my counts and wouldnt be worried..therefore, I'm probably just fine. He's probably right. But that hemo has me really stirred up. Even my OB said its very likely to be pregnancy induced, and the WBC being 15 isn't that bad..She said sometimes they can go up to 30+!

It's so frusterating though, and having the hemo who upset me so much and got me thinking worst case scenario didn't help.

Thanks for letting me vent, and read here. I will search the board and see what I find on the issue! Glad to know theres others like me!

Hey there,

I looked on the internet (which you shouldn't do all the time, I have learned this!) and a lot of info I am getting is that pregnancy can be a contributor to a high WBC count. Also, are you currently taking prednisone or anything else for your ITP? If I was you, I really wouldn't worry myself about this too much. I wouldn't be surprised if after the delivery of your baby, things return to normal for you! Meet with your next dr. and get their opinion. Also, check out pregnancy.ehealthforum.com/health/topic76681.html
It seems like they have been in a similar situation. Good luck with everything and savor this pregnancy! Don't let your worries overshadow the gift you are about to be given!

Best of luck,
Natalie

Let me just tell you, I know EXACTLY how you feel. I am 24 and went through all this crap when I was 22. It can all be so overwhelming and confusing. If your red counts and everything else look perfect, I would NOT freak out. Most of the time everything is haywire with cancer. A common trend is anemia and low platelets, but many times this is present and it isn't anything other than just that: anemia and low platelets! And also, everyhing can be haywire and NOT be cancer. There are so many contributing factors to blood counts etc. You don't show any outward signs of it being something else, such as night sweats, feelng icky, etc. You are just PREGNANT!!!! That hema probably just had your best interest in mind, but went about it all wrong. Plus, you said he had never treated a pregnant woman with ITP before....THERE'S A RED FLAG! Go to someone else who has experience. And like I said, your counts are not that off! I think you just need to put him out of your head and focus on where to go from here, which would be your new hema with a better opinion. Good luck!

Thanks Natalie, that helps alot.

Yes, WBC can raise... it's called Leukocytosis during pregnancy. Thats what my OB said it was, as long as my hemo agreed. He'd admitted to never considering it for me till she mentioned it, then he also agreed thats what it was. But then the WBC raised again so my OB, being cautious, said to return to my hemo who said "All I would do for you at this point is a bone aspiration"

:blink:

Anyway I will search around this site some more. I dont want this stress to overshadow our wonderful gift, either. It is supposed to be a very happy time for us right now.

NatalieM wrote:

Let me just tell you, I know EXACTLY how you feel. I am 24 and went through all this crap when I was 22. It can all be so overwhelming and confusing. If your red counts and everything else look perfect, I would NOT freak out. Most of the time everything is haywire with cancer. A common trend is anemia and low platelets, but many times this is present and it isn't anything other than just that: anemia and low platelets! And also, everyhing can be haywire and NOT be cancer. There are so many contributing factors to blood counts etc. You don't show any outward signs of it being something else, such as night sweats, feelng icky, etc. You are just PREGNANT!!!! That hema probably just had your best interest in mind, but went about it all wrong. Plus, you said he had never treated a pregnant woman with ITP before....THERE'S A RED FLAG! Go to someone else who has experience. And like I said, your counts are not that off! I think you just need to put him out of your head and focus on where to go from here, which would be your new hema with a better opinion. Good luck!

Thats so good to hear from someone around my age, who knows this stuff! Its been a roller coaster. I've felt so bad because its like one minute I'm on cloud 9 with my pregnancy, next minute I am thinking things like leukemia! Talk about a mood shift!!!

I'm not sure about the anemia thing, I don't think I am anemic...after all this testing i've had i'm sure they looked for that. My red blood is totally fine though, and my health is good. I'm probably healthier now than I've been! (even with being pregnant..my diet/life is alot healthier nowadays)

I guess due to my bad experience with old Hematologist, I am scared of looking into this further because now I just associate ANY abnormalities to leukemias/cancers.. And it is scary when you are pregnant going to a "Cancer center", know what I mean??

I am so glad you repeated what I keep trying to tell myself -- "And also, everyhing can be haywire and NOT be cancer. " <-- This is what I try to remind myself.

I guess I will see Wednesday! This new hema sees alot of pregnant patients my OB refers to her...That alone I hope gains me some compassion in just how she delivers her information to me.

You poor thing. I bet you are going bananas. Take a deep breath. And hematologists are usually a combination of hematologist/oncologists because blood is so closely linked to everything. I don't want you to think that he is intentially sending you to an oncologist...the two go hand in hand. Usually, any hematologist you meet is also an oncologist because they use the bloodwork to monitor how ANYONE with a blood disorder is doing...including ITP patients. I have been going to a hematologist/onocologist for the past year. I felt the same way you did and then I had to SNAP OUT OF IT! You'll be fine. Get your second opinion so you can rest easy and prepare for your new baby!

NatalieM wrote:

You poor thing. I bet you are going bananas. Take a deep breath. And hematologists are usually a combination of hematologist/oncologists because blood is so closely linked to everything. I don't want you to think that he is intentially sending you to an oncologist...the two go hand in hand. Usually, any hematologist you meet is also an oncologist because they use the bloodwork to monitor how ANYONE with a blood disorder is doing...including ITP patients. I have been going to a hematologist/onocologist for the past year. I felt the same way you did and then I had to SNAP OUT OF IT! You'll be fine. Get your second opinion so you can rest easy and prepare for your new baby!

Thank you. Yes I get the hematology/oncology connection now, it still just makes me shudder a tiny bit, you know?

It does help me think of this though... If he DIDNT think "the worst" to start, and it DID turn out to be bad for someone and he was wrong, he could be in for a lawsuit, LOL So I try looking at it logically, all doctors have to rule out "bad stuff" and cover their rear ends very carefully...

Hi there. Glad you found us.

As Natalie said, your platelet count is quite safe. Not normal, but safe. I would have fired that first hemo also. No one needs to be treated like that and I'm glad you went for the second opinion. Good for you!

As for the white count, I wouldn't worry about that. It's barely elevated and if your tooth is infected at all, could be the cause of the rise.

While you are seeing the new hemo, it might be helpful to mention the miscarriage. ITP and miscarriages can be a sign of APS (Antiphospholipid Syndrome). It might be a good idea if the new doctor were to test you for that to be on the safe side, especially since you are pregnant now.

Sandi wrote:

Hi there. Glad you found us.

As Natalie said, your platelet count is quite safe. Not normal, but safe. I would have fired that first hemo also. No one needs to be treated like that and I'm glad you went for the second opinion. Good for you!

As for the white count, I wouldn't worry about that. It's barely elevated and if your tooth is infected at all, could be the cause of the rise.

While you are seeing the new hemo, it might be helpful to mention the miscarriage. ITP and miscarriages can be a sign of APS (Antiphospholipid Syndrome). It might be a good idea if the new doctor were to test you for that to be on the safe side, especially since you are pregnant now.

I've been tested for it. I showed no antiphospholipid antibodies. I requested this test, and my husband laughed, because my hema wasnt even going to do it.. But my sister has APS, and I totally believe in being an advocate for your own health!

I wonder why the last hema didn't seem to think my tooth was a problem. Its very infected (needs a root canal, big time!!) -- It flares up off and on. He said if it was the tooth, my WBC would've been raised back in Aug. But I had been on antibiotics for it off and on before my 1st pregnancy (maybe spring 09?)

A re-test at some point wouldn't be a bad idea. I've had the antibodies on and off for a long time. They come and go. APS is no laughing matter and I think it's very reasonable to ask for the test. Did he test for all three antibodies? What about the VDRL? Sorry I'm pestering you with questions, I believe in being thorough (seems like you are too).

The infected tooth was just a guess...however, any infection can cause whites to rise.

Well, we had an insurance complication, so had to reschedule till Wednesday to give it time to re-adjust.

So I AM GOING INSANE, lol.

I was so close to talking to the hematologist, I was there and everything.

Now I have to wait, and I am honestly wishing I didn't have to do all this waiting for the unknown, and I am stressing more now I think. My husband keeps trying to reassure me its all NOTHING.. how many people go to the docs and get worked up thinking they have something bad, just for it to be nothing, etc etc and I am trying to believe that

My baby shower is Saturday, and I'm having a hard time enjoying the thought, because I'm so worried of what will come Wednesday. :S