Blood Platelets Low: Treatment Methods

by Daniel Zana under CC BY

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If a lab test shows that blood platelets low, it means you are suffering from a condition called Thrombocytopenia. Platelets are important parts of the blood as they help in clotting and the prevention of bleeding.

These functions may not be affected all that much if the platelet count is only slightly lower than normal.

And even if clotting and bleeding are affected, a low platelet count can be increased once the immediate causes of Thrombocytopenia are dealt with — this usually involves an infection or the low count is a side effect of medication. It is only in extreme cases that there is a risk of bleeding.

Low blood platelets symptoms

Most people with low blood platelet counts do not show any symptoms of the condition. However, they may present symptoms of what caused the low platelet count. For example, it may have been caused by an infection; so you may notice the symptoms of the infection.

In rare cases, you may find your blood platelets low enough that spontaneous bleeding can occur. This can happen under the skin or in the oral cavity, and you can see the bleeding as small pinpoint red spots.

In severely low platelet counts, the spots can be bigger than pinpoints and can appear as small rashes or bruises.

In addition, it is also possible that people with low platelet counts can bleed excessively if they have been injured or cut.

For the most part, however, your doctor would be the one to discover if you have a low blood platelets count as this condition is detected in routine blood work. The doctor may try to ascertain the severity of the condition, and will decide if specialists need to be called in. The specialists are either internists who specialize in internal medicine, or hematologists who specialize in blood disorders.

At our another article, you can find all low platelets symptoms.

What is normal platelet count range?

Normal platelets count in blood is 150000–400000 per 1 mcL (microliter). Now you know what are normal blood platelet levels, try to keep it on this level.

General Prevention of Thrombocytopenia

A low platelet count can be prevented, but only if the immediate cause is identified first. If a medication is the cause of the low count, then its use should be discontinued, and an alternative medication should be used instead.

If an infection is the cause of the low count, then that infection should be treated. The platelet count should rise to normal levels, as a result.

Medical Treatment

For extremely serious cases, regular blood transfusions may be necessary in order to increase the platelet count. This is especially important if a surgery or any other type of invasive procedure is to be performed on the patient.

In other cases, a very low count, in addition to excessive bleeding, may cause a doctor to recommend transfusions. And in truly platelets low counts, transfusions may be necessary even without excessive bleeding. The most important thing is to deal with what caused the low blood platelet count.

Finding your blood platelets low is not usually a dangerous condition but you need to check with your doctor so you can get the right treatment.