What causes a low platelet count. How is thrombocytopenia diagnosed. What are the symptoms of low platelets. Can thrombocytopenia be treated. What medications can affect platelet levels. How does alcohol impact platelet count. Is a low platelet count dangerous.

Understanding Thrombocytopenia: What Is a Low Platelet Count?

Thrombocytopenia is a medical condition characterized by an abnormally low number of platelets in the blood. Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are tiny blood cells that play a crucial role in blood clotting. A normal platelet count in adults ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter (µl) of blood. When the count falls below 150,000/µl, it is considered thrombocytopenia.

Why are platelets important? These cell fragments are essential for forming blood clots and stopping bleeding when blood vessels are damaged. Without sufficient platelets, even minor injuries can lead to excessive bleeding, potentially causing serious complications.

Common Causes of Low Platelet Count

Thrombocytopenia can result from various factors, broadly categorized into two main groups:

1. Underlying health conditions
2. Medication side effects

These factors can affect platelet count by influencing their production, storage, utilization, or destruction. Let’s delve deeper into each category:

Health Conditions Associated with Low Platelet Count

Several medical conditions can lead to thrombocytopenia:

• Aplastic anemia: A rare blood disorder where the bone marrow fails to produce enough new blood cells, including platelets.
• Autoimmune diseases: Conditions like idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis can cause the immune system to mistakenly attack and destroy platelets.
• Cancer: Certain types of cancer, particularly leukemia and lymphoma, can damage bone marrow and impair blood cell production.
• Blood clotting disorders: Conditions such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) can lead to excessive platelet consumption.
• Infections: Both bacterial and viral infections may temporarily lower platelet counts.
• Enlarged spleen: An oversized spleen can sequester too many platelets, reducing their circulation in the blood.
• Pregnancy: Some women experience mild thrombocytopenia during pregnancy, especially near delivery.

Medications and Substances That Can Lower Platelet Count

Various medications and substances can contribute to thrombocytopenia:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers: Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin
• Prescription medications: Amiodarone, antibiotics like ampicillin, cimetidine, heparin, seizure medications, and certain sulfonamides
• Alcohol: Heavy alcohol consumption can suppress platelet production
• Quinine: Found in tonic water and some leg cramp medications
• Toxic substances: Pesticides, arsenic, and benzene

Recognizing the Symptoms of Low Platelet Count

Thrombocytopenia symptoms may not be apparent until the platelet count becomes very low. When symptoms do occur, they can include:

• Easy bruising
• Prolonged bleeding from cuts
• Spontaneous nosebleeds
• Bleeding gums
• Blood in urine or stools
• Unusually heavy menstrual flow
• Petechiae (small, reddish-purple spots on the skin)

Is a low platelet count always dangerous? Not necessarily. The severity of thrombocytopenia depends on the underlying cause and the extent of the platelet reduction. Mild cases may not require treatment, while severe cases can pose significant health risks.

Diagnosing Thrombocytopenia: What to Expect

How is thrombocytopenia diagnosed? The primary method for diagnosing low platelet count is through a complete blood count (CBC) test. This blood test measures various components of your blood, including the platelet count. If thrombocytopenia is suspected, your healthcare provider may order additional tests to determine the underlying cause:

• Blood smear examination
• Bone marrow biopsy
• Coagulation tests
• Autoimmune antibody tests

Can thrombocytopenia be detected through physical examination? While some signs like petechiae or unusual bruising may be visible, a definitive diagnosis requires blood tests.

Treatment Options for Low Platelet Count

The treatment for thrombocytopenia depends on its cause and severity. In some cases, addressing the underlying condition or discontinuing the causative medication may be sufficient to restore normal platelet levels. For more severe cases, treatment options may include:

• Medications: Corticosteroids or immune globulin to suppress the immune system in autoimmune-related thrombocytopenia
• Blood or platelet transfusions: To quickly increase platelet count in severe cases
• Splenectomy: Surgical removal of the spleen may be recommended in certain cases of ITP
• Thrombopoietin receptor agonists: Medications that stimulate platelet production

How long does it take to treat thrombocytopenia? The duration of treatment varies depending on the cause and chosen treatment approach. Some cases may resolve quickly, while others may require ongoing management.

Lifestyle Considerations for Managing Low Platelet Count

If you’ve been diagnosed with thrombocytopenia, certain lifestyle adjustments can help manage the condition and reduce the risk of complications:

• Avoid activities with a high risk of injury
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to prevent gum bleeding
• Opt for an electric razor instead of blade razors
• Wear protective gear during sports or potentially hazardous activities
• Avoid alcohol and medications known to affect platelet count

Can diet affect platelet count? While no specific diet is proven to increase platelet count, maintaining a balanced, nutrient-rich diet can support overall health and potentially aid in platelet production.

The Impact of Alcohol on Platelet Count

How does alcohol impact platelet count? Excessive alcohol consumption can significantly affect platelet levels in several ways:

1. Suppressing platelet production in the bone marrow
2. Shortening the lifespan of existing platelets
3. Impairing platelet function

Is moderate alcohol consumption safe for individuals with thrombocytopenia? While moderate drinking may not significantly impact platelet count in healthy individuals, those with thrombocytopenia should consult their healthcare provider about safe alcohol consumption levels.

Thrombocytopenia in Pregnancy: Special Considerations

Gestational thrombocytopenia is a condition that affects some pregnant women, particularly in the third trimester. While the exact cause is unknown, it’s generally considered a benign condition that resolves after delivery.

How is thrombocytopenia managed during pregnancy? Management typically involves close monitoring of platelet levels throughout pregnancy. In most cases, no specific treatment is required unless platelet counts drop significantly or complications arise.

Does gestational thrombocytopenia affect the baby? Generally, gestational thrombocytopenia doesn’t pose risks to the fetus. However, in rare cases where the mother has a severe autoimmune thrombocytopenia, there’s a small risk of the baby developing temporary thrombocytopenia after birth.

Research and Future Directions in Thrombocytopenia Treatment

Ongoing research in thrombocytopenia focuses on developing new treatments and improving existing ones. Some promising areas of study include:

• Novel thrombopoietin receptor agonists with improved efficacy and safety profiles
• Gene therapy approaches for inherited thrombocytopenia disorders
• Targeted immunotherapies for autoimmune thrombocytopenia
• Artificial platelet substitutes for emergency use in severe thrombocytopenia

What potential breakthroughs can we expect in thrombocytopenia treatment? While it’s difficult to predict specific outcomes, advancements in personalized medicine and immunology may lead to more targeted and effective treatments for various forms of thrombocytopenia in the future.

As research progresses, our understanding of thrombocytopenia continues to evolve, offering hope for improved diagnostic techniques and treatment options. Individuals diagnosed with low platelet count should work closely with their healthcare providers to develop an appropriate management plan tailored to their specific needs and circumstances.

Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia): Causes, treatment, and more

Thrombocytopenia is the name for a low platelet count. Platelets are blood cells that help the blood clot. The two main factors that cause low platelet counts are medication side effects and underlying health conditions.

A reduced platelet count in the blood is not always a serious problem. However, the condition affects the ability of the blood to clot. If a person’s blood does not clot, a wound may bleed severely. This can have serious complications in some cases.

This article examines the conditions, medications, and substances that can cause a low platelet count. It also outlines how to recognize the symptoms and what to expect from treatment.

Thrombocytopenia is a condition that occurs when the platelet count in a person’s blood is too low.

The normal platelet count in adults is 150,000–450,000 platelets per microliter (µl) of blood.

A person with thrombocytopenia will have a platelet count below 150,000/µl.

Thrombocytopenia may make it difficult for the body to stop bleeding following an injury. Bleeding can occur inside the body, beneath the skin, or at the surface of the skin.

People with thrombocytopenia usually do not experience serious bleeding until their platelet count is very low.

ITP refers to idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, a rare condition that is also known as immune thrombocytopenia.

The condition involves bleeding-induced rashes that occur as a result of a low platelet count. Idiopathic means that the cause is not known.

In people with ITP, the immune system attacks platelets, which prevents the blood from clotting properly. This can sometimes occur following an infection.

There are two main factors that cause a person to have a low platelet count: an underlying health condition or a medication. These factors can lower the platelet count by affecting the production, storage, use, or destruction of platelets.

Medical conditions that can cause a low platelet count

A low platelet count may occur due to:

• the bone marrow not producing enough platelets
• the body destroying or using up the platelets that the bone marrow does produce
• the spleen holding onto too many platelets, meaning that the amount in the blood is too low

Certain medical conditions can also cause a person to have a low platelet count. These include:

• Aplastic anemia: This rare blood condition occurs when the bone marrow stops making an adequate number of new blood cells.
• Autoimmune diseases: Certain autoimmune diseases can cause a person’s immune system to mistakenly attack and destroy their platelets. Diseases that can do this include ITP, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Cancer: Some cancers, such as leukemia or lymphoma, can damage a person’s bone marrow and destroy blood stem cells. This can cause the person’s stem cells to stop growing healthy blood cells. Some cancer treatments, including radiation therapy and chemotherapy, may also destroy stem cells.
• Conditions that cause blood clots: Some conditions cause blood clots to develop. These conditions include thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). These conditions can cause the body to use up all of the available platelets, leading to a low platelet count.
• Infections: Bacterial or viral infections may lower a person’s platelet count temporarily.
• Large spleen: If a person’s spleen is large, it may store too many platelets. This can cause a low platelet count in the person’s blood.
• Surgery: In some cases, artificial heart valves, blood vessel grafts, or machines and tubing for blood transfusions or bypass surgery may destroy a person’s platelets.

Pregnancy may sometimes cause a person to develop mild thrombocytopenia. The exact reason for this is unknown, but it seems to be more common close to delivery.

Medications and substances that can cause a low platelet count

Various substances can cause a person to have a low platelet count, including:

• medications
• poisonous substances, such as pesticides, arsenic, and benzene
• heavy alcohol consumption
• quinine, which is in tonic water and some tablets for leg cramps

If a substance is causing a person’s low platelet count, a doctor may suggest that they stop taking it. Doing so should return the platelet count to normal.

If the cause is a drug that a person is taking for a different condition, the prescribing doctor might change the medication.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications that can cause a low platelet count include:

• acetaminophen
• ibuprofen
• naproxen
• aspirin

Prescription medications that can cause thrombocytopenia include:

• amiodarone
• ampicillin and other antibiotics
• cimetidine
• glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, including abciximab, eptifibatide, and tirofiban
• heparin
• piperacillin
• seizure medications, such as carbamazepine
• sulfonamides, such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
• vancomycin

The symptoms of a low platelet count only occur at severely low levels. A count that is only slightly lower than normal may not produce symptoms.

If the count is low enough to cause spontaneous bleeding, an individual may notice minor bleeds that create small, round, dark red spots on the skin called petechiae.

Several petechiae can merge to form bruise-like rashes called purpura.

ITP can also cause the gums or nose to bleed without reason and lead to the presence of blood in the urine or stools. In these cases of ITP, platelet counts are typically below 20,000/µl.

Platelets are a crucial component of the blood. They are responsible for repairing tissue damage and play a vital role in the blood-clotting system, helping stop bleeding and heal wounds. Blood clotting is also known as hemostasis.

The bone marrow produces platelets, and they are present in a person’s blood and spleen.

How do platelets stop bleeding?

If damage occurs to the wall of a blood vessel, the vessel exposes a substance that activates platelets. Activated platelets trigger further events that bring in more platelets, and a blood clot starts to form. This serves to plug any leak.

Activated platelets also release sticky proteins to help form the clot. A protein known as fibrin forms a mesh of threads that holds the plug together.

A platelet count measures the concentration of platelets in the blood. A technician will carry this test out in a laboratory.

A normal platelet count is 150,000–450,000 platelets/µl. When the number of platelets is low, this concentration reduces.

Females usually experience a platelet count that varies slightly during the menstrual cycle and can fall near the end of pregnancy.

The following platelet counts carry the risk of serious bleeding:

• Between 20,000 and 50,000/µl: There is more risk of bleeding in relation to an injury.
• Less than 20,000/µl: Bleeding happens even without an injury.
• Below 5,000/µl: Spontaneous bleeding can be severe and a risk to life.

To diagnose a low platelet count, a doctor may begin by asking some questions and performing a physical examination. The questions might cover symptoms, family history, and medications. The examination will assess for skin rashes and bruising.

A laboratory platelet count will confirm the diagnosis, showing the exact concentration of platelets in the blood. The doctor is likely to perform other blood tests at the same time.

These may include:

• a complete blood count (CBC)
• a blood smear test, which involves looking at platelets under a microscope
• other blood tests to assess blood clotting
• bone marrow tests

There are two types of bone marrow tests: a bone marrow aspiration and a bone marrow biopsy. Both tests require a doctor to use a needle to take a sample of the bone marrow for examination. Aspiration involves the collection of a small amount of fluid, whereas a biopsy involves the collection of some soft tissue.

A doctor may diagnose thrombocytopenia after ruling out other causes of a low platelet count.

People who have a diagnosis of this condition can reduce the risk of complications by:

• taking care to avoid bumps and injuries that might lead to bruises and cuts
• ensuring that all of the healthcare professionals who treat them know about this condition, as it can influence treatment decisions
• taking care with OTC drugs, such as aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen
• avoiding infections where possible, if a person has undergone a splenectomy

Anyone who experiences any unusual symptoms or has other concerns should discuss these with a doctor.

Platelets are cells in a person’s blood that play an important role in blood clotting. They help form blood clots to stop bleeding and heal wounds.

If a person has a low platelet count, called thrombocytopenia, their blood might not clot properly. This can lead to symptoms such as blood loss and bruising.

There are many possible causes of a low platelet count, including medical conditions and exposure to certain substances. Substances that can lower a person’s platelet count include some medications, poisonous substances, alcohol, and quinine.

Slightly low platelet counts that do not produce symptoms may not require treatment. However, if symptoms are present, treatment may be necessary.

The treatment can involve switching medications, reducing exposure to certain substances, or treating the underlying medical condition that is causing the low platelet count.

Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia): Causes, treatment, and more

Thrombocytopenia is the name for a low platelet count. Platelets are blood cells that help the blood clot. The two main factors that cause low platelet counts are medication side effects and underlying health conditions.

A reduced platelet count in the blood is not always a serious problem. However, the condition affects the ability of the blood to clot. If a person’s blood does not clot, a wound may bleed severely. This can have serious complications in some cases.

This article examines the conditions, medications, and substances that can cause a low platelet count. It also outlines how to recognize the symptoms and what to expect from treatment.

Thrombocytopenia is a condition that occurs when the platelet count in a person’s blood is too low.

The normal platelet count in adults is 150,000–450,000 platelets per microliter (µl) of blood.

A person with thrombocytopenia will have a platelet count below 150,000/µl.

Thrombocytopenia may make it difficult for the body to stop bleeding following an injury. Bleeding can occur inside the body, beneath the skin, or at the surface of the skin.

People with thrombocytopenia usually do not experience serious bleeding until their platelet count is very low.

ITP refers to idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, a rare condition that is also known as immune thrombocytopenia.

The condition involves bleeding-induced rashes that occur as a result of a low platelet count. Idiopathic means that the cause is not known.

In people with ITP, the immune system attacks platelets, which prevents the blood from clotting properly. This can sometimes occur following an infection.

There are two main factors that cause a person to have a low platelet count: an underlying health condition or a medication. These factors can lower the platelet count by affecting the production, storage, use, or destruction of platelets.

Medical conditions that can cause a low platelet count

A low platelet count may occur due to:

• the bone marrow not producing enough platelets
• the body destroying or using up the platelets that the bone marrow does produce
• the spleen holding onto too many platelets, meaning that the amount in the blood is too low

Certain medical conditions can also cause a person to have a low platelet count. These include:

• Aplastic anemia: This rare blood condition occurs when the bone marrow stops making an adequate number of new blood cells.
• Autoimmune diseases: Certain autoimmune diseases can cause a person’s immune system to mistakenly attack and destroy their platelets. Diseases that can do this include ITP, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Cancer: Some cancers, such as leukemia or lymphoma, can damage a person’s bone marrow and destroy blood stem cells. This can cause the person’s stem cells to stop growing healthy blood cells. Some cancer treatments, including radiation therapy and chemotherapy, may also destroy stem cells.
• Conditions that cause blood clots: Some conditions cause blood clots to develop. These conditions include thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). These conditions can cause the body to use up all of the available platelets, leading to a low platelet count.
• Infections: Bacterial or viral infections may lower a person’s platelet count temporarily.
• Large spleen: If a person’s spleen is large, it may store too many platelets. This can cause a low platelet count in the person’s blood.
• Surgery: In some cases, artificial heart valves, blood vessel grafts, or machines and tubing for blood transfusions or bypass surgery may destroy a person’s platelets.

Pregnancy may sometimes cause a person to develop mild thrombocytopenia. The exact reason for this is unknown, but it seems to be more common close to delivery.

Medications and substances that can cause a low platelet count

Various substances can cause a person to have a low platelet count, including:

• medications
• poisonous substances, such as pesticides, arsenic, and benzene
• heavy alcohol consumption
• quinine, which is in tonic water and some tablets for leg cramps

If a substance is causing a person’s low platelet count, a doctor may suggest that they stop taking it. Doing so should return the platelet count to normal.

If the cause is a drug that a person is taking for a different condition, the prescribing doctor might change the medication.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications that can cause a low platelet count include:

• acetaminophen
• ibuprofen
• naproxen
• aspirin

Prescription medications that can cause thrombocytopenia include:

• amiodarone
• ampicillin and other antibiotics
• cimetidine
• glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, including abciximab, eptifibatide, and tirofiban
• heparin
• piperacillin
• seizure medications, such as carbamazepine
• sulfonamides, such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
• vancomycin

The symptoms of a low platelet count only occur at severely low levels. A count that is only slightly lower than normal may not produce symptoms.

If the count is low enough to cause spontaneous bleeding, an individual may notice minor bleeds that create small, round, dark red spots on the skin called petechiae.

Several petechiae can merge to form bruise-like rashes called purpura.

ITP can also cause the gums or nose to bleed without reason and lead to the presence of blood in the urine or stools. In these cases of ITP, platelet counts are typically below 20,000/µl.

Platelets are a crucial component of the blood. They are responsible for repairing tissue damage and play a vital role in the blood-clotting system, helping stop bleeding and heal wounds. Blood clotting is also known as hemostasis.

The bone marrow produces platelets, and they are present in a person’s blood and spleen.

How do platelets stop bleeding?

If damage occurs to the wall of a blood vessel, the vessel exposes a substance that activates platelets. Activated platelets trigger further events that bring in more platelets, and a blood clot starts to form. This serves to plug any leak.

Activated platelets also release sticky proteins to help form the clot. A protein known as fibrin forms a mesh of threads that holds the plug together.

A platelet count measures the concentration of platelets in the blood. A technician will carry this test out in a laboratory.

A normal platelet count is 150,000–450,000 platelets/µl. When the number of platelets is low, this concentration reduces.

Females usually experience a platelet count that varies slightly during the menstrual cycle and can fall near the end of pregnancy.

The following platelet counts carry the risk of serious bleeding:

• Between 20,000 and 50,000/µl: There is more risk of bleeding in relation to an injury.
• Less than 20,000/µl: Bleeding happens even without an injury.
• Below 5,000/µl: Spontaneous bleeding can be severe and a risk to life.

To diagnose a low platelet count, a doctor may begin by asking some questions and performing a physical examination. The questions might cover symptoms, family history, and medications. The examination will assess for skin rashes and bruising.

A laboratory platelet count will confirm the diagnosis, showing the exact concentration of platelets in the blood. The doctor is likely to perform other blood tests at the same time.

These may include:

• a complete blood count (CBC)
• a blood smear test, which involves looking at platelets under a microscope
• other blood tests to assess blood clotting
• bone marrow tests

There are two types of bone marrow tests: a bone marrow aspiration and a bone marrow biopsy. Both tests require a doctor to use a needle to take a sample of the bone marrow for examination. Aspiration involves the collection of a small amount of fluid, whereas a biopsy involves the collection of some soft tissue.

A doctor may diagnose thrombocytopenia after ruling out other causes of a low platelet count.

People who have a diagnosis of this condition can reduce the risk of complications by:

• taking care to avoid bumps and injuries that might lead to bruises and cuts
• ensuring that all of the healthcare professionals who treat them know about this condition, as it can influence treatment decisions
• taking care with OTC drugs, such as aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen
• avoiding infections where possible, if a person has undergone a splenectomy

Anyone who experiences any unusual symptoms or has other concerns should discuss these with a doctor.

Platelets are cells in a person’s blood that play an important role in blood clotting. They help form blood clots to stop bleeding and heal wounds.

If a person has a low platelet count, called thrombocytopenia, their blood might not clot properly. This can lead to symptoms such as blood loss and bruising.

There are many possible causes of a low platelet count, including medical conditions and exposure to certain substances. Substances that can lower a person’s platelet count include some medications, poisonous substances, alcohol, and quinine.

Slightly low platelet counts that do not produce symptoms may not require treatment. However, if symptoms are present, treatment may be necessary.

The treatment can involve switching medications, reducing exposure to certain substances, or treating the underlying medical condition that is causing the low platelet count.

Why platelets are low and what to do

Likbez

Health

November 17, 2022

It can be dangerous, so it’s best to see a doctor.

Why low platelets are dangerous

Platelets are blood cells that can form clots, or blood clots. So they stop bleeding from cuts and other injuries. If there are not enough platelets, the body can no longer cope with damage. This medical condition is called thrombocytopenia.

It is diagnosed if the number of platelets in the blood is below normal, that is, less than 150 thousand per microliter, with a healthy indicator of 150-450 thousand. Thrombocytopenia can be an independent disease or just a symptom.

A low platelet count can be dangerous because bleeding becomes difficult to stop. Particularly serious consequences are caused by hemorrhages in the digestive tract or brain: they can lead to disability and even death.

However, much depends on the symptoms and how low the platelets have fallen.

Why platelets can be low

Sometimes it’s just a mistake. If platelets stick together or break down in a test tube, they may be less than 150,000 per microliter when counted automatically.

And sometimes the platelets are really low. This can happen for one of three reasons.

The body retains platelets in the spleen

Normally, the spleen filters out unwanted substances and old and destroyed cells, including platelets, from the blood. But in some diseases, the spleen increases in size and begins to retain and very actively utilize platelets. Therefore, their number in the blood decreases.

The body produces fewer platelets than it needs

Platelets, like other blood cells, are made in the bone marrow. Its activity and health may be affected by:

• leukemia and other types of cancer;
• certain types of anemia;
• persistent viral infections such as hepatitis C or HIV;
• radiation and chemotherapy – these procedures are often prescribed in the treatment of cancer;
• excessive alcohol consumption.

The body uses or destroys platelets faster than normal

It happens:

• During pregnancy, about 5% of expectant mothers develop mild thrombocytopenia on the eve of childbirth for unknown reasons.
• For severe bacterial infections.
• In autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis.
• After infectious diseases, when the number of platelets drops sharply, bruises and a rash appear in the form of small reddish-purple dots, bleeding occurs.
• Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is a rare condition in which microclots form in the small vessels of the body. Therefore, there are fewer platelets and bleeding and bruising occur.
• For hemolytic uremic syndrome. Because of this rare disease, the number of platelets is sharply reduced, red blood cells are destroyed, and kidney function is impaired.
• Due to certain medications, including sulfa antibiotics, anticonvulsants and blood thinners (anticoagulants).

How to recognize a low platelet count

Sometimes it is discovered by chance, for example during a complete blood test, which the doctor sends the patient as part of a preventive examination.

This incidental thrombocytopenia may not have symptoms. But more often, a lack of platelets makes itself felt by characteristic signs.

Thus, the first symptom is usually bleeding from the nose or from a cut, which cannot be stopped. Other common signs of low platelets include:

• bleeding gums;
• traces of blood in the stool (in which case it looks black, tarry), urine, vomit;
• too long and profuse menses in women;
• petechiae, small hemorrhages, which most often appear on the legs and look like a red or purple rash;
• purpura, purplish bruises that come on easily and as if by themselves;
• rectal bleeding.

What to do if platelets are low

Seek medical attention. Self-medication in this case is unacceptable and can be deadly.

Call 911 urgently if bleeding cannot be controlled with normal first aid measures, such as applying a pressure bandage.

If you happen to know that your platelets are low, talk to the doctor who gave you a referral for a complete blood count. The doctor will conduct an examination and check if there are any threatening symptoms. Mild cases of thrombocytopenia do not require treatment.

But if there are symptoms or the doctor suspects a risk of internal bleeding, it will be necessary to establish the causes of the pathology. The doctor will study the medical history, ask about the lifestyle and medications taken, and refer to additional studies, such as ultrasound. And then, having calculated the cause, he will give recommendations or prescribe treatment. Which one depends on the diagnosis.

For example, if you are taking anticoagulants or anticonvulsants, your doctor will select a replacement drug without side effects. If anemia, hepatitis C, rheumatoid arthritis, or another disease is detected, you will be offered appropriate therapy. If an enlarged spleen is the cause of the low platelets, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove it.

In cases of extreme thrombocytopenia, when the platelet count is below 10,000 per microlitre, transfusion of blood or platelet concentrate or other methods of bleeding control may be required. With thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, plasmapheresis may be prescribed. These procedures must be carried out urgently, because such a condition is deadly.

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Platelets, microscopy (counting in a stained smear using the Fonio method)

Method of determination
Fonio method (microscopy of a stained smear).

Test material
Whole blood (with EDTA)

Home visit available

Online check-in

Synonyms: Platelet blood test; Platelets, microscopy (Fonio method).

Manual Platelet Count (PLT count): Indirect Method by Fonio.

Brief description of the study “Platelets, microscopy (counting in a stained smear according to the Fonio method)”

Platelets are small non-nucleated cells that form in the bone marrow, are capable of aggregation (connecting to each other) and adhesion (sticking to a damaged vascular wall. The properties of platelets allow them to form a temporary clot and stop bleeding in small vessels (platelet-vascular hemostasis.) In their granules and on the surface, they contain many active substances and some coagulation factors that enter the blood when platelets are activated and participate in the mechanisms of blood coagulation.0003

The study of the number of platelets is used to evaluate their production in the diagnosis and prognosis of bleeding, disseminated intravascular coagulation, leukemia, the diagnosis and monitoring of thrombocytosis and thrombocytopenia, monitoring the response to platelet transfusion, steroid therapy, etc. , when monitoring chemotherapy or radiation therapy, in screening examinations. Clinical signs of a decrease in the number of platelets – thrombocytopenia (increased tendency to intradermal hemorrhages, bleeding gums, menorrhagia, etc.) – usually occur when the number of platelets decreases below 50 x 10 ³ cells/µl.

What is the purpose of the study “Platelets, microscopy (counting in a stained smear using the Fonio method)”

The study is used to diagnose polycythemia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytosis, to monitor therapy, to control the level of platelets when taking a number of drugs.

Features of the test “Platelets, microscopy (counting in a stained smear according to the Fonio method)”

Platelet counting is part of the complete blood count and is usually performed using a hematological analyzer using the impedance method (see test No. 5). In the Invitro laboratory, with all results of automatic platelet determination less than 130×10 ³ cells/µl and more than 550×10 ³ cells/µl the doctor additionally performs microscopy of the stained blood smear with platelet count by the Fonio method.