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Dear Dr., My Mom Who Is Otherwise Healthy Had Knee
Dear Dr.,
My Mom who is otherwise healthy had knee replacement surgery 6 weeks ago. Her surgeon, her post op care and her physical therapy are all stellar. She is 84 and has a fairly unremarkable health history. Hypertension that fluctuates between barely needing to be medicated to a generic blood pressure dosage monitored by her physician. Nothing else of any significance.
The reason for my inquiry is this: her recent blood tests revealed an increase in her platelet count. Her platelet count was in the normal range in August - just before her surgery and she does not have a history of platelet problems, although our family history does. The most recent blood test reveals a fairly significant jump in platelet count.
Can this be related to a normal post op fluctuation or is it something unrelated that may need further attention? We do have a fairly significant history of blood disorders in our family, including aplastic anemia, polycythemia, every version of leukemia in pretty much all generational ages, mylodysplastic syndrome, multiple myeloma, etc.
Should I be concerned about her recent changes in blood chemistry? In addition, she has an elevated blood sucrose level, which I have never seen before (not over 200) but still an increase and also - she has been waking up at night to urinate more frequently. Perhaps these changes overall are related, perhaps they aren't. This is where you may be able to give me some guidance.
What I have found helpful in the past with my aging parents, is that when I sense that they are not telling their regular doctors all of their symptoms or what is on their mind, when I call and at least let the doctors' s nurses know to alert the doctor that there may be some hidden issues on my parents minds, they take a closer look and quiz my parents more - resulting in more comprehensively accurate diagnoses.
So my question to you is this: Should I be concerned about a sudden elevation in platelet count with our family history after this recent knee replacement surgery on my 83 year old Mom?
Thank you in advance for your guidance and direction.
Warmest professional regards,
Beverly
My Mom who is otherwise healthy had knee replacement surgery 6 weeks ago. Her surgeon, her post op care and her physical therapy are all stellar. She is 84 and has a fairly unremarkable health history. Hypertension that fluctuates between barely needing to be medicated to a generic blood pressure dosage monitored by her physician. Nothing else of any significance.
The reason for my inquiry is this: her recent blood tests revealed an increase in her platelet count. Her platelet count was in the normal range in August - just before her surgery and she does not have a history of platelet problems, although our family history does. The most recent blood test reveals a fairly significant jump in platelet count.
Can this be related to a normal post op fluctuation or is it something unrelated that may need further attention? We do have a fairly significant history of blood disorders in our family, including aplastic anemia, polycythemia, every version of leukemia in pretty much all generational ages, mylodysplastic syndrome, multiple myeloma, etc.
Should I be concerned about her recent changes in blood chemistry? In addition, she has an elevated blood sucrose level, which I have never seen before (not over 200) but still an increase and also - she has been waking up at night to urinate more frequently. Perhaps these changes overall are related, perhaps they aren't. This is where you may be able to give me some guidance.
What I have found helpful in the past with my aging parents, is that when I sense that they are not telling their regular doctors all of their symptoms or what is on their mind, when I call and at least let the doctors' s nurses know to alert the doctor that there may be some hidden issues on my parents minds, they take a closer look and quiz my parents more - resulting in more comprehensively accurate diagnoses.
So my question to you is this: Should I be concerned about a sudden elevation in platelet count with our family history after this recent knee replacement surgery on my 83 year old Mom?
Thank you in advance for your guidance and direction.
Warmest professional regards,
Beverly
Thu, 15 Oct 2015
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