DF and low platelet count

[Mablethorpe]

Long story short, DF went to GP with what was assumed by allot be gout. GP agreed and prescribed treatment DNS a blood test.

First test showed low platelet count and hospital recommended a re-test. That happened last week with a follow up at the GP scheduled for next Tuesday.

DF got a call today asking him to go into see the doctor urgently tomorrow - he was at work so didn't ask all the questions he should have and is now panicking as he's googled.

Any advice/experience please?

Similar thing happened to my friend last year only she got a call telling her to drop everything and go to the hospital now. Very scary. Her platelets were something in single figures.

She had an infusion and a lot of investigations. Home after a few days on a very high dose of steroids and then regular monitoring. So far she is maintaining her levels and is, about three months on, just off the steroids.

So far they haven't been able to give a definitive diagnosis but think she may have had an auto immune response following bad flu earlier in the year.

Hope your DF is ok and this reassures you that it doesn't have to mean anything sinister though she was, of course really worried.