Low platelets - possible HELLP syndrome

ooooner

Anyone else experiencing a low platelet count? I searched and yes there is information out there but no recent threads/discussions that I could find. Just curious if anyone else in N15 is also dealing with this or has in the past?

Having a low platelet count can apparently be a sign of HELLP syndrome which is similar to pre-eclampsia and can be life threatening. When I went to my NST on Monday, I wasn't feeling well, had swelling, nausea, was super thirsty and extremely fatigued, so they drew my blood to check some things. I never got a call so I assumed the test results came back ok, but when I went to the OBGYN today for another NST and my 38 week visit, I was told my platelet count is borderline low at 140,000 as compared to 270,000 from my last blood test several months ago. The doc ordered another blood test and if my platelets are lower than they were Monday, then I'm looking at more testing and possible induction. Granted I'm 38w1d so it wouldn't be a problem for baby at this point; I just have to admit I'm a little scared considering HELLP has a 25% mortality rate from what I've read (yes, I googled... shame on me).

Any input or shared experiences would be appreciated! I take comfort in the fact that I feel much better now than I did on Monday, my BP was 129/81 this afternoon and I still do not have any protein in my urine.

I hope everyone has a great Friday and a relaxing weekend.

BP1979

Lurking from December here. At my blood draw around 28 weeks I had low platelets as well. We didn't mention anything about HELLP, just that they would monitor with additional blood draws and I may nut be able to have an epidural. From the research I've done, as long as the count stays above 100,000 everything will proceed as normal. If it goes before 100,000 then no epidural and if it gets significantly lower, they may have to do a platelet ?infusion? or something. I've had one blood draw since and it went from 144,000 to 140,000. Next blood draw is Wednesday at 36 weeks. Definitely let me know if you find out more from your doctor. Interested to hear what others have happen and how low platelets affect delivery.

drowe214

There is a whole thread that was updated as recently as 10/30 that may be helpful (not sure if the link will work): 

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/comment/88015153#Comment_88015153

Most of us with low platelets have been referred to a hematologist,  if HELLP was a concern, I'm sure your doctor would have mentioned it.  I think the big thing is being monitored closely and being flexible.  With my son I had pre-eclampsia and low-platelets (60,000) and needed an emergency c-section with general anesthesia at 37 weeks and we both came out the other side fine, so thank goodness for modern medicine! With platelets at 140,000 and BP trending down, you still have a lot of options.  Good luck.  

lke17

My platelets are low, I'm 38 weeks and they are at 77 right now. I have been having this monitored my entire pregnancy and I started at 128. You are so close to the normal platelet count of 150 I wouldn't be too worried to be honest. I was told I can still have an epidural at 75 count if I choose to want one (obviously every hospital is going to be different). I started steroids for the platelets two days ago in hopes that they will help raise them back to a better number by delivery. If a doctor hasn't mentioned HELLP, please try not to worry about it. Low platelets do not always lead to HELLP. It's never been brought up to me once so I hope that makes you feel a little better!

ooooner

drowe214 said:

There is a whole thread that was updated as recently as 10/30 that may be helpful (not sure if the link will work): 

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/comment/88015153#Comment_88015153

Most of us with low platelets have been referred to a hematologist,  if HELLP was a concern, I'm sure your doctor would have mentioned it.  I think the big thing is being monitored closely and being flexible.  With my son I had pre-eclampsia and low-platelets (60,000) and needed an emergency c-section with general anesthesia at 37 weeks and we both came out the other side fine, so thank goodness for modern medicine! With platelets at 140,000 and BP trending down, you still have a lot of options.  Good luck.  

Thank you that thread did not come up in my search at all! Apologies for making a new thread, completely missed that one. And my doctor did mention HELLP which is why I mentioned it.

ooooner

BP1979 said:

Lurking from December here. At my blood draw around 28 weeks I had low platelets as well. We didn't mention anything about HELLP, just that they would monitor with additional blood draws and I may nut be able to have an epidural. From the research I've done, as long as the count stays above 100,000 everything will proceed as normal. If it goes before 100,000 then no epidural and if it gets significantly lower, they may have to do a platelet ?infusion? or something. I've had one blood draw since and it went from 144,000 to 140,000. Next blood draw is Wednesday at 36 weeks. Definitely let me know if you find out more from your doctor. Interested to hear what others have happen and how low platelets affect delivery.

Thank you for the input! I'm not freaking out just yet since my numbers were over 100k but given my doc brought up HELLP, I'm concerned. You do not sound like you are too worried so try to keep it that way lady. Best of luck to you and will definitely let you know what happens in my case! Please keep me posted with your situation also.

dramaphile

The 25% figure you quoted is a global rate, which includes non-developed countries, and is mainly attributed to extremely premature babies. According to the fact page, babies weighing over 2 lbs have the same survival rate and health outcomes as babies born to a mom without HELLP. Assuming you're a November mom, your baby will be big enough to fall into this category. Preeclampsia and HELLP should be taken seriously, but you and baby don't have a 1 in 4 chance of dying, promise!

https://www.preeclampsia.org/health-information/hellp-syndrome

ooooner

lke17 said:

My platelets are low, I'm 38 weeks and they are at 77 right now. I have been having this monitored my entire pregnancy and I started at 128. You are so close to the normal platelet count of 150 I wouldn't be too worried to be honest. I was told I can still have an epidural at 75 count if I choose to want one (obviously every hospital is going to be different). I started steroids for the platelets two days ago in hopes that they will help raise them back to a better number by delivery. If a doctor hasn't mentioned HELLP, please try not to worry about it. Low platelets do not always lead to HELLP. It's never been brought up to me once so I hope that makes you feel a little better!

Thank you for sharing your experience, I'm sorry you are going through this. My doctor did bring up HELLP specifically when telling me about the lower platelets on my blood draw so that's why I am kind of stressing! I'm beginning to wonder if my liver enzymes were also elevated or something. As you said, given that my numbers aren't below 100k and I'm so close to LO making his appearance anyway, I know I need to chill... I'm mostly just worried this might affect delivery and being a FTM I am anxious in general but especially about the possibility of induction. Good luck to you, I hope the steroids help your count stay above 75 for the epidural!!

ooooner

dramaphile said:

The 25% figure you quoted is a global rate, which includes non-developed countries, and is mainly attributed to extremely premature babies. According to the fact page, babies weighing over 2 lbs have the same survival rate and health outcomes as babies born to a mom without HELLP. Assuming you're a November mom, your baby will be big enough to fall into this category. Preeclampsia and HELLP should be taken seriously, but you and baby don't have a 1 in 4 chance of dying, promise!

https://www.preeclampsia.org/health-information/hellp-syndrome

Great info thank you for clarifying! This is what you get when you google. Yes I am a N15 mom, due the 18th. Thx again.

terimcmackin

HELLP almost took my life on November 15th. I had many of the symptoms but I attributed them to regular pregnancy because my blood pressure was always perfect. I was having upper quadrant pain (just under my right rib) for about 3 weeks. I figured it was the baby kicking but it was actually my liver failing. I started seeing blood in my urine about a week before I went to the hospital. I went to the clinic and they treated me for a UTI which is common in pregnancy. I have had UTIs before and there were no symptoms to this one, no pain, just blood. Later finding out that I was just bleeding internally. I was also having nosebleeds and, as someone who chews on their lips, I would wake up with dried blood

terimcmackin

cont... On my lips. I wasn't feeling good the day before at a friends house. I left early and when I woke up on Sunday, I had a massive bruise on my arm. I had bruises everywhere I couldn't explain. Long story short I went in and within 30 minutes I was diagnosed with HELLP. My liver was failing, my platelets were 6K, and my hemoglobin in the 50's. It took them all day to transfuse enough platelets and blood into me to get me to the bare minimum I needed for surgery. I went in at 9am that morning, and was wheeled into surgery at 7:20 that night. My boy was one day shy of 34 weeks so he was fine. I spent 4 longs days in Intensive care and my boy will be coming home with me this weekend after his 2 week stay.

drowe214

terimcmackin said:

cont... On my lips. I wasn't feeling good the day before at a friends house. I left early and when I woke up on Sunday, I had a massive bruise on my arm. I had bruises everywhere I couldn't explain. Long story short I went in and within 30 minutes I was diagnosed with HELLP. My liver was failing, my platelets were 6K, and my hemoglobin in the 50's. It took them all day to transfuse enough platelets and blood into me to get me to the bare minimum I needed for surgery. I went in at 9am that morning, and was wheeled into surgery at 7:20 that night. My boy was one day shy of 34 weeks so he was fine. I spent 4 longs days in Intensive care and my boy will be coming home with me this weekend after his 2 week stay.

So scary, glad you and LO are ok. It can be so easy to overlook symptoms that may indicate a more severe problem. With my first I had a bad headache that didn't go away and I thought my legs were getting "fat" but it was bad swelling and by the time they figured out it was HELLP my blood pressure was through the rough, liver was failing and platelets at 60k. Thank God for modern medicine!