sbstrum_MD
Member
Sorry, as someone that has been in cancer medicine for 60 years, platelet numbers do matter. High platelets can result in thrombosis or in bleeding. Other factors come into play here as well and relate to what medications & supplements the patient is taking. For example, a patient taking aspirin will increase their chance of a hemorrhagic event due to aspirin's effects on platelet aggregation and adhesion. And in comparing the potential adverse effect of an elevated platelet count vs. WBC, the former is far more important unless the patient's WBC is in the 20,000 or higher range. HCT and HGB essentially reflect the same information. I rely on HCT as the slightly more accurate test but the rule of thumb is Hgb x 3 ≈ HCT. For adults, I know of no hematologist, or oncologist who bothers with the RBC count unless you are dealing with a patient having a hemoglobinopathy like thalassemia.Rosier is talking rubbish, platelets having little to do with it, I have polycythaemia Vera since 13 years and have consulted many of the worlds experts Haematologit’s. It’s the Hct or Hgb or RBC that are the main culprits for clotting, WBC a bit maybe, platelets are not usually treated or a concern unless weLL over 1 million unless symptomatic or other relevant health risks
It is also important to not only examine the patient's context regarding medicines and supplements vs. bleeding or thrombosis, but also the patient's total health picture. Some co-existing diseases can heighten the risk of thrombosis. For example, cancer patients. have an ↑risk of thrombosis. Those with inflammation as a component of their illness (e.g., Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, collagen-vascular diseases) will increase their risk of thrombosis.
I do agree with your main statement, however, that it is the HCT that is the major or a major factor in vascular thrombosis.
Stephen B. Strum, MD, FACP