what causes a sudden decrease in platelet counts?

Answer 1

There are multitudes of factors that can cause this. If you or someone you know has a problem, I will recommend they see a doctor immediately.

Answer 2

Certain medications can cause the bone marrow, where plateletsand all other blood cells are produced, to shut down all blood cell production; since platelets are the blood cells that are used up more quickly than any others, the platelet count is the first to drop precipitously.
Other reasons for platelet counts to drop suddenly is "immune thrombocytopenia (" thrombocytopenia" is doctor-talk for "low platelet count") . This is a condition that can be associated with other immune disorders like systemic lupus erythematosis or rheumatoid arthritis, or it can occur for no immediately obvious reason. Immune thrombocytopenia occurs when an antibody is formed that attacks platelets and destroys them in the circulation. Some viral infections can cause platelet counts to drop, and overwhelming bacterial infections can cause platelet destruction.

Answer 3

A friend of mine was just diagnosed with IPH. Look up what that stands for because its long and I can't remember. There could be an infection or condition that would cause that to happen. I would ask the doctor or nurse to make 100% sure.

Now that I think about it, mine were low the last time that I had my blood checked and my Dr. told me that it was folic acid that was low and I needed to take a supplement. Sorry!

Answer 4

Actually ITP stands for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, also known as immune thrombocytopenic purpura (as described in the previous post).

Severe Eclampsia (a condition of pregnant women) can also cause platelet dysfunction and low platelet counts.

If you want an educated answer to your question, you should give more history.

Answer 5

Death