MPN Advocacy & Education International spoke with Dr. Gabriela Hobbs, Mass General, to discuss and answer numerous patient questions about essential thrombocythemia (ET).

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 A Conversation with an MPN Specialist: Essential Thrombocythemia
6:38 Are you seeing more young women being diagnosed with ET?
7:42 How and when do you factor in the allele burden when determining your treatment plan?
9:41 Does diet, exercise, and good sleep habits, statistically help with clotting and other risks?
14:07 My platelets go up every time I get a COVID19 vaccine. Where can I report this side effect and who is researching this?
16:28 I am newly diagnosed and wondering if a bone marrow biopsy is recommended?
18:37 Have you been able to identify signs of progression and what are those?
21:16 Are any drugs/medications showing promise for slowing or eliminating progression?
24:11 What are the signs or indicators of remission?
25:12 Are night sweats related to my ET?
26:39 What is known about the ZRSR2 mutation?
28:22 Why aren't cytoreductive therapies needed?
30:02 How do you determine the difference between ET and PV?
31:44 What is the threshold for platelets before you recommend additional medications?
32:43 Is my hematologist adequate enough for my care or do I need to seek out a specialist?
38:11 What are the treatment options available to ET patients?
40:17 My son has ET and is currently on aspirin. Are a large spleen and headache symptoms of his ET?
41:01 I have ET and my only symptoms are migraines. If I take aspirin, they go away, but should I be switching to an interferon?
43:03 I was just diagnosed and am 25 years old. I am on hydroxyurea and am triple negative. Is this the best option for me?
44:24 I have a bone marrow biopsy every three years. Is this accurate testing?
45:08 I tend to have anemia often and my doctor keeps telling me to eat red meat. Should I listen to this advice?
46:56 Do you have any information on the supplement Rutin?
47:45 I have had ET for 20 years with no symptoms with the CALR mutation. Is this common?
48:06 I am consistently sick with upper respiratory infections. Is this related to my ET?
49:03 Is it true that having low iron can cause high platelets?
49:54 Is there any evidence that hydroxyurea can reduce bone density?
50:08 Do you think Pegasys reduces scarring in the bone marrow?
50:44 What are the side effects of hydroxyurea and could it be drug fever?
51:22 Does the name of the MPN matter and does it affect prognosis?
52:52 Are you seeing fewer incidences of major complications associated with ET?