Hi Mark2,

I used to be a long-distance runner and was doing HIIT 4-5 times per week, I was vegetarian, hydrated well, and my platelets would never go below 500,000 not matter how healthy my lifestyle was. And I was 33-38 years old then.
It is good to take care of our health generally, it helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular issues, but there is no indication that sports have cytoreductive effects. Many factors can play a role in the number of platelets, anything from medication (for MPNs but also for other diseases, like autoimmunity and solid cancers), to infections, to changes in the disease itself.
Looking in the guidelines for treatment in ET, I could see that HU is a standard treatment in people above 60, as age is an indicator for risk in MPNs.
Did your doctor do a bone marrow biopsy?

Best wishes,
Tatiana

My advice is to plead with you to not to try to be your own doctor at this point. Take your medication exactly the way it has been prescribed and don’t skip any days. Of course you are nervous about starting something new, but talk with your doctor. And keep doing all of those wonderful things that you love in order to stay as fit as possible. Cheers to you, Mark!!

Never make changes towards your meds unless advised by your Dr. As these are just not a normal medicine.

Hi Mark,
I am 79 with ET JAK2. My current platelets are 565 and I am taking 500 mg Hydroxyurea four days a week. I also take a blood thinner for AFib. I get headache issues taking Hydroxyurea so staying on low dose for now. Eileen

Hi Jan, you mentioned 3 family members have an MPN
I am curious if you and your family members live in close proximity of each other. Reason being is that sometimes there are risks in certain areas for radon or other chemicals that are more prevalent in areas that had mining or nuclear power plants etc.