A count lower than , platelets per microlitre of blood is considered to be thrombocytopenia , which means a lower than normal platelet count. Below 50, is a seriously low platelet count. A platelet count above , platelets per microlitre of blood is considered to be high.
The technical name for this is thrombocytosis. If you have a low platelet count , then you have a condition called thrombocytopenia. This might be caused by a bone marrow disorder such as leukemia, an immune system disorder along with anemia low hemoglobin count , or a viral infection such as hepatitis. Alternatively, thrombocytopenia can be a side effect of taking some medications such as chemotherapy or certain antibiotics that can interfere with the bone marrow.
Thrombocytopenia may be mild and a person may have no symptoms with it. However, a lack of platelets means that the blood may not clot properly. If it is a severe case, symptoms include increased bruising, heavy menstrual flows, blood in the urine or stool and bleeding gums. It can also cause a skin rash of superficial bleeding called petechiae, which looks like tiny red dots and can often appear on the lower legs. Press a cold cloth on both sides of your nose continuously for 10 minutes.
You can also apply a cold cloth to the back of your neck. If you can easily reach the bleeding area, apply gentle pressure until it stops. Hold a clean dry cloth against the cut for at least 10 minutes. If possible, lift the injured body part above the level of the heart. Do not apply a tourniquet to control bleeding because this can cause permanent tissue damage. Hold a soft cloth or an ice pack on the area with gentle but firm pressure for at least 10 minutes. Lift the area above the level of the heart if possible.
If cancer causes low platelet counts, every attempt is made to treat the cancer. However, the treatment itself may cause thrombocytopenia. When chemotherapy causes low platelet counts, the dose may have to be lowered or the length of time between chemotherapy cycles may have to be longer.
Transfused platelets only last about 3 days, so some people may need more than one transfusion. The healthcare team may also give medicines to help the body make more platelets. These are called growth factors. Interleukin is an example of a growth factor.
Growth factors may help prevent severe thrombocytopenia. Home Treatments Side effects Low platelet count. Low platelet count thrombocytopenia. The following cancer treatments can also affect the bone marrow and lead to a low platelet count: chemotherapy drugs, biological therapies or other drugs radiation therapy to the pelvis or to a large amount of bone marrow People can also develop thrombocytopenia if the spleen is enlarged hypersplenism or if cancer spreads to the spleen.
Symptoms of a low platelet count include: bruising easily tiny red spots, or petechiae, under the skin unusual bleeding from the gums or nose a lot of or long-lasting bleeding from a small cut or injection site blood in the urine, which may look pink, red or brown blood in the stool or black-coloured stool vomiting blood or something that looks like coffee grounds vaginal bleeding that is different from and lasts longer than the normal menstrual period constant headache, blurred vision or change in level of consciousness Thrombocytopenia caused by chemotherapy is usually temporary, but it can cause a serious loss of blood or bleeding that can damage internal organs.
Preventing bleeding and bruising. Practise good mouth care. Use a lip balm or petroleum jelly to keep lips moist and prevent cracking. Check with your healthcare team before having any dental work done. Protect your body. If children have low platelet counts, pad their bed, crib and playpen. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors.
Platelets are small cells that move through your bloodstream. Like other blood cells, platelets are formed in bone marrow. Platelets are clotting cells. They clump together after an injury to slow and stop bleeding. People with thrombocytopenia have low platelets. This reduces the ability to form clots and stop bleeding. If you have this condition, it is important to understand how it affects your health and what you can do to stay well.
This article discusses normal and abnormal platelet counts, some of the causes of low platelets, and symptoms you may experience. It also describes strategies for managing the condition and how it is usually treated. A complete blood count CBC test is a standard panel of bloodwork. The platelet count is one of things this test measures. Here is what various platelet counts mean:. Thrombocytopenia can be genetic, which means it is passed down through families. Genetic forms are rare.
They are sometimes misdiagnosed as other forms of the disease. Your body may produce enough platelets on its own, but some conditions and medicines may destroy them or stop them from working correctly dysfunction.
When you have an autoimmune condition , your immune system attacks healthy cells. Diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis may cause the immune system to destroy platelets. Bacteremia , also called blood poisoning, is a bacterial infection that affects the blood. This infection may lead to a reduction in platelets. Anticoagulants are medications that stop your blood from clotting. Thrombocytopenia can also happen when your body doesn't make enough platelets.
There are several reasons this might happen. Gestational thrombocytopenia is fairly common in the third trimester of pregnancy. It happens because of an increase in blood volume. The platelet counts stay the same in this condition, but since the blood volume is higher, the platelets are more diluted. There is usually a low risk of serious bleeding. Chemotherapy and radiation are common therapies for cancer. They are very effective at killing cancer cells.
Unfortunately, they can't tell the difference between cancer cells and healthy cells. These therapies target any cells that reproduce quickly.
This includes cells in bone marrow. Cancer treatments may unintentionally kill the cells in bone marrow that produce platelets. When this happens, your body won't be able to produce the platelets it needs. Blood cancer may also cause low platelets. When bone marrow is invaded by cancer cells, healthy cells can be crowded out by cancer cells. This will affect the production of platelets. Enlarged spleen Open pop-up dialog box Close.
Enlarged spleen The spleen is a small organ usually about the size of your fist. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Thrombocytopenia: Other causes.
The Merck Manual Professional Version. Accessed Feb. Arnold DM, et al. Approach to the adult with unexplained thrombocytopenia. Immune thrombocytopenia adult. Mayo Clinic; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Related Associated Procedures Blood transfusion Splenectomy.
0コメント