View Single Post
  #2  
Old Sat Sep 19, 2020, 09:52 AM
Marlene Marlene is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Springfield, VA
Posts: 1,406
Hi David,

Sorry you caught COVID but glad that you are recovering. Must have have been pretty unsettling.

Based on our experience, any infection can effect blood counts. Fevers will chew through red cells and platelet so it's not uncommon for counts to drop. It's going to be more noticeable in those with blood disorders whose counts are already low. Losing 20 -30K platelets in a person with normal platelet value of 230K would not be noticed. However, dropping from 50K to 20K will. Most will rebound but it will take time. First you have to get over the virus. Rebuilding your blood could take longer because of the stress from the virus on the bone marrow. My personal feeling is that the bone marrow is working extra hard producing white cells to fight the infection and there is only so much it can do. As is typical of this disease, watch and wait. In the meantime, you may need one or more red cell transfusions until your bone marrow can get back on track. If your platelets are holding at 26K, you should not need a platelet transfusion unless you have bleeding.

When you see your doctor, ask if checking your ARETIC and Reticulocyte Percentage would shed any light on how well your red cells are recovering. It may be too soon yet.

Also, antibiotics can effect the bone marrow so that may slow things down.


There are so many unknowns with this virus so stay on top of it. I hope it resolves soon and you get back on track.

Marlene
__________________
Marlene, wife to John DX w/SAA April 2002, Stable partial remission; Treated with High Dose Cytoxan, Johns Hopkins, June 2002. Final phlebotomy 11/2016. As of July 2021 HGB 12.0, WBC 4.70/ANC 3.85, Plts 110K.
Reply With Quote