Cause For Low Platelet Count In Blood – Platelets are a key part of the blood. Small, sticky, colorless platelet-shaped cells help blood clot and prevent the body from losing too much blood. However, the number of platelets in the blood can sometimes decrease due to genetic conditions, viral diseases or severe infections. Thrombocytopenia is a disorder in which the number of platelets in the body is lower than average.

The bone marrow produces platelets along with other blood components (white blood cells, red blood cells, and plasma). Platelets travel through blood vessels and clot after an injury damages a blood vessel and causes bleeding. Without enough platelets in the blood, the patient may experience mild or severe uncontrolled bleeding, both external and internal.

Cause For Low Platelet Count In Blood

In healthy adults, the normal platelet count is between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. A count of less than 150,000 platelets per microliter is considered low. However, a patient is usually not at risk for severe bleeding until the platelet count falls between 10,000 and 20,000 platelets per microliter. If it falls below 50,000, they may experience mild bleeding. There are several different factors that can contribute to thrombocytopenia, and the condition can last for just a few days or it can last for years, depending on the cause and severity.

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The main sign of thrombocytopenia is mild to severe internal or external bleeding. Mild cases usually cause no symptoms and are usually discovered by patients during routine blood tests. More serious cases can cause severe bleeding in any part of the body.

Usually, external bleeding is the first sign of thrombocytopenia and can cause petechiae, which are scarlet or reddish patches on the skin. The patient may also notice purple, brown and red bruises called purpura. Light bruising, even from a minor injury, can be a sign of a bleeding problem. Patients with low platelet counts may also experience excessive bleeding from the mouth from brushing their teeth or after dental procedures, frequent nosebleeds, abnormal vaginal bleeding, abnormally heavy menstrual flow, bleeding gums, or prolonged bleeding from small cuts and minor injuries.

Internal bleeding can be very serious. Thrombocytopenia can cause severe intestinal or brain bleeding in patients. Signs of internal bleeding include rectal bleeding, bloody stools, and blood in the urine. If the patient has neurological symptoms such as headaches, this may indicate bleeding in the brain. Neurological problems from internal bleeding are rare, but it’s still important to discuss them with your doctor.

Patients may inherit genes that increase the risk of thrombocytopenia or acquire it due to another factor. In some cases, the case may be idiopathic. But normally the body has a low platelet count for three general reasons. First, the bone marrow may not produce enough platelets. In other cases, the bone marrow may produce enough platelets, but another factor destroys or consumes them. In other cases, the spleen may retain too many platelets and prevent them from circulating. Patients may also suffer from a combination of these factors. Each general cause has its own set of factors that cause it.

Platelet Clumping As A Possible Cause Of Low Platelet Count In P Stock Photo By ©toeytoey 170922092

Platelets are produced in the bone marrow from stem cells. There are several factors that can damage these stem cells and prevent them from developing into healthy cells. For example:

If the bone marrow actually produces enough platelets, the body can destroy or use too many of them and cause a low platelet count. For example, anticoagulants are blood thinners that prevent blood from clotting. Other drugs can cause a reaction in the body that destroys platelets. Other conditions that can cause the body to destroy, damage, or use up platelets include:

In addition, there are some rare but serious conditions that cause the body to use up too many platelets when it forms blood clots, including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). TTP causes blood clots in small vessels, and DIC can be a complication of pregnancy, infections, or severe injuries. Blood clots develop very suddenly and use up too many platelets.

Many diseases can cause an enlarged spleen. Under normal circumstances, the spleen stores up to a third of the body’s platelets. However, an enlarged spleen retains too many platelets and they cannot circulate properly in the blood. Patients may develop an enlarged spleen due to cirrhosis, cancer, or a condition that scars the bone marrow so that it cannot make blood cells properly.

Low Platelets And Cancer

There are several different options that doctors can use to normalize a low platelet count, but treatment options depend on what’s causing the condition and how serious it is. Mild thrombocytopenia usually does not require treatment. Doctors may adjust drug doses or prescribe other drugs if thrombocytopenia is caused by drug interactions. Some patients may have a weakened immune system that causes the platelet count to drop. In this case, they may benefit from immunosuppressive drugs. However, severe cases with very low platelet counts may require more aggressive treatment.

Doctors may prescribe oral or intravenous medications to increase platelet counts. For example, corticosteroids can prevent the body from destroying platelets, intravenous immunoglobulins can block the immune system, and drugs such as romiplostim can help the bone marrow make more platelets.

If the patient is actively bleeding or is at risk of bleeding, the doctor may administer a blood or platelet transfusion. The surgeon first places an IV line in a blood vessel and then uses it to provide the patient with donated blood with a healthy amount of platelets.

If medications fail, the patient may need a splenectomy to surgically remove the spleen. Most of the time, only adults with immune thrombocytopenia need a splenectomy.

Low Platelet Count In Cats

In addition to treatment, patients may also find relief in healthy diet choices. Specifically, there are certain vitamins and nutrients that research has linked to bleeding problems. For example, studies indicate that vitamin K deficiency can increase a patient’s risk of severe bleeding, although this is very rare. Some leafy greens, such as kale, spinach, chard and collard greens, are rich in vitamin K. Brussels sprouts are also high in vitamin K.

Other research claims that vitamin B12 and vitamin D deficiency can weaken the immune system and potentially increase the risk of thrombocytopenia. Animal products such as fish, meat, eggs, milk and poultry are good sources of vitamin B12.

In addition to treatment and possibly dietary choices, patients can also incorporate platelet-regulating supplements into their health regimens. However, these are not adequate treatment in themselves and are not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your doctor before taking any supplement.

Papaya is rich in various nutrients including choline, potassium, magnesium and beta-carotene. Research indicates that it can reduce the risk of several different types of cancer. In addition, it can protect cancer patients from the negative side effects of radiotherapy. It also contains antioxidants that can strengthen the immune system and help the body fight infections and diseases. As a dietary supplement, the recommended dose of powdered papaya extract is 1,000 mg once or twice daily or as directed by a physician.

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Chlorella is a single-celled algae with a high content of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and antioxidants. Research shows that it can treat anemia because it contains folate, vitamin B12 and iron. It can also help improve circulation in the body and can also help improve cholesterol, oxygen flow and blood sugar. The recommended dose of blue-green algae chlorella supplements is 3.2 grams up to three times a day. Consult your doctor before taking this supplement.

Melatonin is a natural hormone that helps normalize the body’s internal clock. The pineal gland in the brain produces this hormone and it travels through the bloodstream with signals it sends throughout the body. It is much more at night and the body has receptors that detect it and help you sleep.

Although patients mainly recognize it for its effects on sleep and mood—such as depression, panic disorder, seasonal affective disorder, and anxiety—research also suggests that there may be a link between melatonin and platelet count. However, more research needs to be done by health professionals to determine its effectiveness. The recommended dose of melatonin powder supplements is between 1 and 3 mg per day at bedtime. Consult your doctor before taking melatonin supplements.

Folic acid is a synthetic form of vitamin B9. It is found naturally in foods such as oranges, peanuts, kidney beans and black peas. It is 100% water soluble and is likely to be beneficial in maintaining healthy immune, digestive and nervous system function. As a dietary supplement, take 500 to 1000 micrograms of folic acid (vitamin B9) powder per day. Do not exceed 1000 micrograms under any circumstances and use an accurate microgram scale to measure the dose. Pregnant women should consume only 300 to 400 micrograms per day. May not be safe for pregnancy in high doses. Consult your doctor before taking folic acid.

Best Foods To Increase Platelet Count

Researchers believe that daily consumption of vitamin C