Sometimes drugs confuse the immune system and cause it to destroy platelets. The spleen is a purple, fist-shaped organ on the left side of your abdomen, just below your rib cage. It varies in size and shape, but is typically about 4 inches long. The spleen acts as a filter for your blood and helps fight bacteria. It recycles old red blood cells, and stores platelets and white blood cells.
When your spleen becomes enlarged due to advanced liver disease or blood cancers, it can hold on to an excessive number of platelets, decreasing the number in circulation throughout your body. She has a passion for motivating and educating blood donors through storytelling. I am Oneblood Testimonials Video Gallery.
About Hosting Submit Hosting Form. Promotions Search Rewards Store. Milestone Store. All blood donors must wear a mask regardless of vaccination status. What causes low platelet count? Lauren Frame April 23, Blood cell disorders impair the formation and function of red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. Blood poisoning is a serious infection. It occurs when bacteria are in the bloodstream. Despite its name, the infection has nothing to do with poison….
The test is usually part of a complete blood count…. Learn about causes, treatment, and…. Learn more about what a platelet aggregation is used for and how you can prepare. Primary thrombocythemia is a rare blood clotting disorder. Find information on causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Blood typing…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Low Platelet Count Thrombocytopenia. Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, M.
The types of blood cells are: red blood cells white blood cells platelets, or thrombocytes When your skin is injured or broken , platelets clump together and form clots to stop the bleeding. What are the symptoms of a low platelet count? What are the causes of a low platelet count? How is a low platelet count diagnosed? What is the treatment for a low platelet count?
What is the outlook for people with low platelet count? 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 would carry this test out in a laboratory. When the number of platelets is low, this concentration reduces. Women normally experience a platelet count that varies slightly during the menstrual cycle and can fall near the end of pregnancy.
A doctor will ask some questions and perform 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 :. Some people may need to give a sample of their bone marrow. This involves taking fluid from the marrow through a needle. This is called a bone marrow biopsy. For platelet counts low enough to cause physical effects, a doctor will address the cause directly. There is a wide range of possible causes. Treatment could involve switching medication or attempting to resolve an underlying medical condition.
For cases of ITP, treatment may include drugs that suppress the immune system, such as a corticosteroid drug called prednisone. It also helps your body fight infection and remove unwanted cell material.
A combination of the above factors. How long thrombocytopenia lasts depends on its cause. It can last from days to years. Outlook Thrombocytopenia can be fatal, especially if the bleeding is severe or occurs in the brain.
Causes - Thrombocytopenia. In general, a low platelet count occurs because: The body's bone marrow doesn't make enough platelets.
A combination of the above factors also may cause a low platelet count. Many conditions and factors can damage stem cells. Cancer Cancer, such as leukemia lu-KE-me-ah or lymphoma lim-FO-ma , can damage the bone marrow and destroy blood stem cells. Aplastic Anemia Aplastic anemia is a rare, serious blood disorder in which the bone marrow stops making enough new blood cells.
Toxic Chemicals Exposure to toxic chemicals—such as pesticides, arsenic, and benzene—can slow the production of platelets. Medicines Some medicines, such as diuretics and chloramphenicol, can slow the production of platelets. Common over-the-counter medicines, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, also can affect platelets.
Alcohol Alcohol also slows the production of platelets. Viruses Chickenpox, mumps, rubella, Epstein-Barr virus, or parvovirus can decrease your platelet count for a while.
Genetic Conditions Some genetic conditions can cause low numbers of platelets in the blood. Autoimmune Diseases Autoimmune diseases occur if the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the body.
Other autoimmune diseases that destroy platelets include lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Medicines A reaction to medicine can confuse your body and cause it to destroy its platelets. Infection A low platelet count can occur after blood poisoning from a widespread bacterial infection. Surgery Platelets can be destroyed when they pass through man-made heart valves, blood vessel grafts, or machines and tubing used for blood transfusions or bypass surgery.
Pregnancy About 5 percent of pregnant women develop mild thrombocytopenia when they're close to delivery. In both conditions, the blood clots use up many of the blood's platelets. Risk Factors - Thrombocytopenia. Screening and Prevention - Thrombocytopenia. For example: Avoid heavy drinking. Alcohol slows the production of platelets. Try to avoid contact with toxic chemicals. Chemicals such as pesticides, arsenic, and benzene can slow the production of platelets.
Avoid medicines that you know have decreased your platelet count in the past. Be aware of medicines that may affect your platelets and raise your risk of bleeding. Talk with your doctor about getting vaccinated for viruses that can affect your platelets. You may need vaccines for mumps, measles, rubella, and chickenpox. You may want to have your child vaccinated for these viruses as well.
Talk with your child's doctor about these vaccines. Signs, Symptoms, and Complications - Thrombocytopenia. Purpura and Petechiae. Diagnosis - Thrombocytopenia. Once thrombocytopenia is diagnosed, your doctor will begin looking for its cause. Medical History Your doctor may ask about factors that can affect your platelets, such as: The medicines you take, including over-the-counter medicines and herbal remedies, and whether you drink beverages that contain quinine.
Your general eating habits, including the amount of alcohol you normally drink. Your risk for AIDS, including questions about blood transfusions , sexual partners, intravenous IV drugs, and exposure to infectious blood or bodily fluids at work. Any family history of low platelet counts. Physical Exam Your doctor will do a physical exam to look for signs and symptoms of bleeding, such as bruises or spots on the skin. Diagnostic Tests Your doctor may recommend one or more of the following tests to help diagnose a low platelet count.
Complete Blood Count A complete blood count CBC measures the levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in your blood. Blood Smear A blood smear is used to check the appearance of your platelets under a microscope.
Bone Marrow Tests Bone marrow tests check whether your bone marrow is healthy. Other Tests If a bleeding problem is suspected, you may need other blood tests as well. Treatment - Thrombocytopenia. Severe Thrombocytopenia If your thrombocytopenia is severe, your doctor may prescribe treatments such as medicines, blood or platelet transfusions, or splenectomy.
Medicines Your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids, also called steroids for short. Blood or Platelet Transfusions Blood or platelet transfusions are used to treat people who have active bleeding or are at a high risk of bleeding. Splenectomy A splenectomy is surgery to remove the spleen. Living With - Thrombocytopenia. Medicines Avoid medicines that may affect your platelets and raise your risk of bleeding. Injuries Avoid injuries that can cause bruising and bleeding. Infection If you've had your spleen removed, you may be more likely to become ill from certain types of infection.
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