Reasons For Low Platelet Count In Adults – Do you tend to bruise easily and have trouble stopping cuts or wounds from bleeding? Or maybe you get frequent nosebleeds or bloody gums? If so, there is a chance that you have a low platelet count.

Having a low platelet count – a condition called ‘thrombocytopenia’ – is a problem with normal blood clotting and bruising that results from low levels of platelets, colorless blood cells produced by the bone marrow. Platelets are responsible for helping to form blood clots in arteries/veins and stop bleeding. A low platelet count puts someone at greater risk for internal bleeding or other blood clotting and blood vessel problems—and unfortunately, it can sometimes really affect quality of life.

Reasons For Low Platelet Count In Adults

Idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) is a type of low platelet count caused by an autoimmune disease that affects how platelets are made and used in the body. Autoimmune disorders, including arthritis, leukemia, and lymphoma, can cause ITP, and factors such as drug use and exposure to toxins can also lower the number of platelets in the blood. Not every patient with a low platelet count has a serious autoimmune disorder. Some cases of mild thrombocytopenia are caused by common lifestyle factors, can be treated fairly easily, and even cause no noticeable signs and symptoms at all.

Newly Diagnosed Immune Thrombocytopenia In Children And Adults: A Comparative Prospective Observational Registry Of The Intercontinental Cooperative Immune Thrombocytopenia Study Group

Thrombocytopenia varies in the symptoms it causes and how it’s managed, depending on how severely someone’s platelet count has dropped. Some people may need to simply monitor their symptoms closely and check in with their doctors only periodically, but others need to stay in the hospital temporarily from time to time for emergency care and strictly avoid anything that could potentially cause bleeding.

As you will learn, there are many different causes of a low platelet count, which can make treating the condition somewhat confusing. But luckily, most people with mild to moderately low platelets are able to correct their numbers fairly easily and live normal, healthy lives—all by making certain dietary and lifestyle changes.

If you notice that you bruise more easily and bleed for a long period of time, even after getting a small cut, talk to your doctor to check your platelet count. A low platelet count can be diagnosed using several tests: a complete blood count, which measures the levels of all the blood cells/platelets in your blood; a blood smear, which looks at the true shape of your platelets; or bone marrow tests and blood clotting tests to check for proper platelet production and function. You may need an ultrasound to check your spleen to see if it is enlarged and possibly touching the platelets inside.

Sometimes thrombocytopenia is only mild and does not even need to be treated, as the blood can still clot normally enough. Other cases, if it becomes serious, your doctor may need to prescribe medication to help ensure that the blood can clot or change the medications you are currently taking to stop their side effects. Medicines and treatments used to stabilize a severely low platelet count may include platelet transfusions, splenectomy (surgery to remove the spleen), corticosteroids, or immunoglobulins, which block the effects of the immune system. (1)

Thrombocytopenia And Neutropenia: A Structured Approach To Evaluation

Once a diagnosis is made, you can use the recommendations below to help increase the number of platelets in the blood, control symptoms and prevent the development of complications:

A deficiency of vitamin B12 or folate (vitamin B9) can cause a mild to moderately low platelet count. Taking supplements is one way to help address this, but a better option is to get enough of these nutrients to begin with. Vitamin B12 deficiency is thought to be one of the leading nutrient deficiencies in the world, and folate deficiency puts you at risk not only for low platelets, but also for pregnancy complications, heart problems and fatigue. So, you should consume foods with these vital nutrients:

In addition to making sure you’re getting enough B12 and folate, focus on eating a generally unprocessed, balanced diet to boost your immunity against viruses or infections and help your organs detoxify your body of chemicals you encounter. Fresh fruits and vegetables are especially important to meet nutrient needs, including: leafy greens, berries, cruciferous vegetables, fresh herbs and spices.

According to the Platelet Disorder Support Association, about 40 percent of people with low platelet counts report some improvement in bleeding symptoms and platelet counts after following either a macrobiotic diet or a diet recommended in Eat Right for Your Type by Dr. Peter J. D’Adamo. These recommendations include eating more fresh foods as described above, avoiding packaged/processed foods, and limiting or eliminating dairy products, low-quality meats, and added sugars. (2)

Platelet Count Within The Normal Range At Hospital Admission Is Associ

Heavy drinkers are at greater risk of having low platelet counts because alcohol slows down the production of platelets. According to a report in the magazine

Heavy alcohol consumption can cause a generalized suppression of blood cell production and the production of structurally abnormal blood cell precursors that do not function properly to clot blood. Research shows that a percentage of alcoholics have defective red blood cells that are destroyed prematurely, as well as abnormal levels of white blood cells and are more likely to have autoimmune reactions and frequent bacterial infections. Thrombocytopenia affects up to 43 percent of alcoholics who eat normally and up to 80 percent who do not. (3)

Everyone reacts to drinking alcohol differently, so you should consider your unique situation and medical history to know how much alcohol your body can tolerate without complications. The general recommendation for healthy adults is to drink no more than one to two drinks a day (one for adult women, two for men), so those with low platelets should drink even less. Avoiding sugary, processed drinks is also helpful because they tend to have a lot of chemicals that can also disrupt normal platelet production, including artificial sweeteners like aspartame, synthetic colors, and preservatives.

Chemicals such as pesticides found in non-organic produce, mercury from certain seafood, arsenic, and benzene can slow platelet production. Tips to help you reduce your exposure to these harmful chemicals include:

Itp Symptoms And Signs: What To Look For

Over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin and ibuprofen can thin your blood and affect your platelet levels. Although they reduce pain, they can also increase the risk of bleeding disorders when used too often. How much is too much? It depends on the person, but if you rely on taking these almost every day, you may experience a number of negative side effects.

They may not work as quickly, but you can help manage pain naturally by improving your diet and reducing inflammation. Exercise and anti-inflammatory supplements also help, including omega-3 fish oil, turmeric, frankincense/boswellia, and peppermint essential oil.

In addition to the vitamin B12 and folate described above to help prevent deficiencies and anti-inflammatory medications to control pain, there is evidence that people with low platelet counts may also benefit from taking or consuming more of the following: (4)

For people already diagnosed with low platelet counts, avoiding injury and infection is important, as both can worsen autoimmune reactions, enlarge the spleen, and cause excessive bleeding. Take care to avoid injuries related to sports, work, exercise or operating machinery.

Easiest Ways To Maintain Normal Platelet Count In Dengue Fever

Most experts recommend that people with low platelet counts avoid contact sports, such as boxing, football, skiing or karate, which can cause bleeding. Protect your spleen by avoiding exposure to infections and viruses as much as possible, which means staying away from sick family members or co-workers and keeping children with low platelet counts out of day care.

If you have a low platelet count that’s causing your skin to bruise or turn red, try this homemade bruise cream made with natural, soothing ingredients like frankincense, shea butter, jojoba oil, and coconut oil.

An abnormally high platelet count is called thrombocytosis. The underlying condition of high platelets may be an infection or it may be due to a disease of the blood and bone marrow, making the causes similar to those of low platelets. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness or lightheadedness, chest pain, and weakness. Both high and low platelet counts are treated similarly and depend on what’s causing them in the first place. Usually changing one’s medications, diet, and nutrient intake can help both conditions or make sure you identify an underlying infection or autoimmune disorder.

The most obvious sign or symptom of a low platelet count is bleeding that cannot be stopped by normal interventions, such as keeping the wound/cut covered. Some people discover they have a low platelet count after receiving the results of their annual physical, while others may experience a fall or injury and seek help because of heavy bleeding.

Thrombocytopenia: Evaluation And Management

It is possible for some people to have ITP (a type of low platelets which is an autoimmune disease) in their systems and not be aware of it until something causes bleeding and raises suspicion, leading to a visit to their doctor – at which point they receive a diagnosis.

Platelets in the blood are constantly renewed by the bone marrow, and the number remains normal and consistent through a process of ongoing production and destruction. In healthy people, platelets die after about 10 days, at which point they are replaced by new ones. But in people with low platelets, either fewer platelets are produced or platelets are removed more quickly, keeping the number abnormally low.

Bone marrow

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