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What Causes Extremely High Cholesterol, Triglycerides And Low Platelet Count?

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Posted on Mon, 29 Dec 2014
Question: I just wanted to follow up on the answer I got from a question a few days ago.

Original Text Question:

Hi, I have low platelets and the doctor has asked me to come back in for another appointment. It will be a week before I can get back in and I am concerned about what the problem is. Here is some history...

Adult white male, 48 years old
RCA heart stents in early 2012, no heart attack. Usual heart/artery afflictions to go along with causes of this.
Extremely high cholesterol and triglycerides brought under control since 2012.
Type 2 Diabetic, onset about 5 years ago
HSV2, genital
HPV - currently being treated for active warts with Zyclara for about 3 months
Kidney stones in the last 90 days
Told I also have gall stones - no issues yet
Current medications:
Crestor
Plavix generic
Lisinopril
Metoprolol
Valtrex
Metformin
Humalog
Lantus
Methylphenidate
Androgel
Fenofibrate
Aspirin
I get regular CMPs from my endocrinologist and nothing special is going on there. Back in 2012 when I had the stent put in, my platelets were 185. In August of this year, they were 126. One month ago, they were 86. Cardiologist's nurse said that my platelets were "low" in late 2012, but did not elaborate. Regular CBCs were not done - or at least I have not seen the results. Along with the most recent CBC from a month ago, the MCV was just over the high range with a 98. RBC was 4.01. Everything else in the CBC was in their normal ranges. Cardiologist told me to stop taking Plavix generic and consult my primary care, which I will next week. I also take a bunch of OTC supplements such as fish oil, CoQ10, some weight loss stuff like garcinia, rasberry ketones, green tea extract.

Reading on the internet has freaked me out with diagnosis' like cancer, HIV, etc... I am at risk for STDs, but not a high risk - but you never know until tested. Can the drugs I am taking cause any of this? Can the HPV being active cause this? The Plavix, the Zyclara? Thanks for any thoughts.
Asked by Me , 5 days ago

Doctor's reply to your question above...
Brief Answer:
Zyclara causes low platelet count

Detailed Answer:
Hi

I have gone through your history.

The normal number of platelets in the blood is 150,000 - 400,000 platelets per microliter.

I would advise you to stop taking Zyclara as it causes low platelet count.

The drug causes bleeding problems and i would advise you to consult with your doctor and replace it with something else.

Regards

DR DE

Follow Up:

I went to my doctor today and he was not aware that I was taking the Zyclara. Though he was uncertain that the Zyclara was the cause, he did an examination and decided to have me stop taking the Zyclara, the Plavix and advised me to not take any anti-inflamatory meds. He asked that I come back in a month for a CBC to check platelets and RBC again. He mentioned that the timeline of me taking the Zyclara topically and my Platelet count dropping, it could be a factor.

Though I am happy that he has not jumped to any other, more drastic diagnosis, I am still feeling anxiety about waiting for the month to re-take the test.

The questions I have now are:

What is the likelyhood that the zyclara is the culprit?
If it is not the cause, what other blood test markers would I see diverging from the norm if it were virus related? Cancer related?

How long will it take to see improvements in platelet count if it is medication related?

Thanks. I appreciated the quick reply from Dr. De and it restored some hope for me.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Monish De (34 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Do not need to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi
The cause of your low platelet is 80 percent related.
After stopping zyclara your platelet count will come back to normal within 2 weeks of time.
I would also advise you to do a blood culture test to rule out any viral infection causing the low platelet.
Cancer causes a more lower platelet count and you should not worry.
If after 2 weeks platelet count is still on the lower side then I would advise you to do a bone marrow test to rule out malignancy.
Regards
Dr de
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Monish De (24 minutes later)
Thank you.

If it were virus related, would there be any other indications or symptoms?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Monish De (10 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
unlikely to be virus related

Detailed Answer:
Hi
If it was virus related then you would have symptoms such as fever, pain abdomen, joint pain and rashes over your body.
It is highly unlikely to be virus related.
Stopping the medicine and repeating the platelet count after 2 weeks will see the platelet count coming back to normal range.
If you have no more clarifications then please rate the answer and close the thread.
Regards
Dr de
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Monish De

Oncologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2229 Questions

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What Causes Extremely High Cholesterol, Triglycerides And Low Platelet Count?

Brief Answer: Do not need to worry Detailed Answer: Hi The cause of your low platelet is 80 percent related. After stopping zyclara your platelet count will come back to normal within 2 weeks of time. I would also advise you to do a blood culture test to rule out any viral infection causing the low platelet. Cancer causes a more lower platelet count and you should not worry. If after 2 weeks platelet count is still on the lower side then I would advise you to do a bone marrow test to rule out malignancy. Regards Dr de