Skip to main content

It's all good again [mostly]

WOW! 3 posts in as many days, but if you feel inundated with too much information, don't worry. I doubt it will continue. This news just couldn't wait.

The results of my colonography are in, and all is well. No polyps or other extraneous stuff. Thank goodness I'm not going to have to go through that again, for at least another couple of years. Hopefully by then I will have forgotten the misery I endured.

But it gets even better.

A retest of my blood counts showed the approximate same drop in lymphocyte count to 55 thou/mcL (which is within normal lab variation at this lymphocyte level), but my platelets were back up to 159 thou/mcL.

Not sure why the increase in platelets, other than the fact I did do a pretty intense bike ride Tuesday morning (which I'm told will cause an increase in platelets), and I cut back [very] slightly on the green tea. Regardless of the reason, it is reassuring.

I guess the best thing I can do for myself is try to increase the intensity of my bike rides (my enthusiasm on the bike has been waning as of late), which at this time of year is a lot easier said than done.
Labels:

Comments

Alan Posner said…
Not to burst your bubble but the increase in platelet count following vigorous exercise is caused by the spleen releasing sequestered platelets, rather than an increased production of platelets.

In any event there are other health benefits to exercise so go at it.
11:34 PM
Marc said…
So can I surmise from that bit of information, that is why my spleen feels so much better (not as bothersome) when I am riding? And it may not be that my bone marrow is failing [just yet], as much as it may be the spleen simply hording more and more platelets?

Either way, the release of the platelets into the blood stream should be a good thing?

It's obvious though, something (either my bone marrow or spleen) isn't working properly, something I have known for a long time. My only concern now being, things may be coming to a head, and I need to watch it closely.

BIG SIGH!
12:01 AM
Alan Posner said…
The release of platelets into your blood stream is not really a good thing. Until your blood platelets fall to 30,000 or less you're really not in too much danger of bleeding. Too high platelets in your blood can increase your risk of clotting i.e. heart attack or stroke.

Certainly the difference between 150K and 120K would make no difference either way.

I still think your being over concerned about such small deviations.
12:06 AM
Marc said…
OH! You sure know how to put a damper on things. :)

I'm going for a bike ride!
12:17 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

History IS repeating itself

I didn't grow up during the rise and fall of Hitler and Nazi Germany, so for me to claim it feels like those are the times we are living in now, must be taken with a grain of salt. But I have seen enough movies, and read enough history to know, if the times we're living in now are not akin to the rise of a Nazism and Facism in Europe in the 1930's and 1940's, then we're not far off. If you can't see the parallels with Nazi Germany, then you must be living in a different country than me. Republicans and other right wing extremists will stop at nothing to subvert the will of the majority, forcing their beliefs, that they are the superior race and have been appointed by God, to impose their will on America, while they blame all our problems on immigrants, blacks and Jews. As I speak, Mitch McConnell, and his minions are raising roadblocks to all legislation designed to help average Americans under the guise of fiscal responsibility. They condone violent and verba...
Post a Comment
Read more

The results are in

And I am iron deficient, big time. [Which would account for my low hemoglobin] Test Result Ref Range IRON 30 59-158 mcg/dL TOTAL IRON BINDING CAPACITY 231 250-420 mcg/dL IRON SAT 13 20-50 % My Ferritin levels were good, but that could be because Ferritin is also an "acute phase reactant", that is sometimes increased with acute or chronic disease. Folate and B12 levels were also within the normal range. The only problem now is determining what is causing the iron deficiency, which in the case of men, is [very] rare. My oncologist has given me a Globin Fecal test to perform, and has scheduled me for a consultation with a colorectal surgeon to discuss performing a colonoscopy, which could be problematic because of my large spleen. In the mean time, I've decided to start taking an iron supplement, it's only the quantity that is causing me some consternation. I've been told by a very knowledgeable person that to overcome an iron deficiency, I need to be taking 300 mg o...
5 comments
Read more

Stop the stupidity!

Rural medical center (in Georgia) suspended from vaccination program after inoculating school district staff. Give me a break! Trying to get kids back to school, while protecting teachers, bus drivers and other staff, is exactly what school districts should be doing. If they have vaccines, give them out. We should be giving out vaccines to all who want them, whenever available. Trying to adhere to rigid guidelines will only result in fewer people getting vaccines, resulting in the discarding of precious vaccines, and less protection for everyone. Of course we should be giving first priority to healthcare workers, and any other essential public service employees, such as policeman, fireman, etc. first, but when they're not around to receive shots, or refuse shots, then give them to anyone willing to take them. What I would have objected to is the medical center trying to capitalize on the pandemic to make a profit, from giving vaccines to people far down the list of recipients, but ...
Post a Comment
Read more