Could someone please tell me what causes a low platelet count and how do you treat it?

Question

My stepfather saw a doctor yesterday for an irregular heartbeat and the bloodwork showed low platelets.

Answer 1

To be honest there are so many reasons why your platelet count can be low. See this website for information it is the platelet disorder support association http://www.itppeople.com/lowplate.htm
Depending on the reason and how low the platelets are then you may need a transfusion of platelets. Your platelet count should be 200-400 thousand.

Answer 2

OK - a common cause of a low platelet count is poor phlebotomy technique! If the blood specimen is not collected properly, and the tube used to determine platelet count is not mixed very well, then some clotting may have occurred. (Clotting process starts immediately so the specimen must be drawn or transferred to EDTA tube immediately and mixed right away. This is a VERY COMMON cause of "low platelet counts". A lot of medical personnel are not taught proper technique in specimen collection and yet physicians do not always clue in to this fact. The result is only as good as the specimen! The first step in evaluating a low platelet count is to have the test repeated. Some patients have platelet aggregates in EDTA tubes, so a blue top tube should be drawn and tested as well. Peripheral smear should be reviewed to look for platelet clumps and giant platelet forms.

Second - how low is low? Are there physical signs of a low platelet count. Little purple dots on the skin called pettechiae? Bruises that can't be accounted for? There are some drugs that can cause a low platelet count temporarily. Penicillin has been implicated. Chemotherapy drugs are notorious for wiping out platelets. This is usually temporary and they come back soon. There's also ITP - idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Which means they don't know why - but the patient has a low platelet count and lots of bruises to show for it. 200-400 may be a normal platelet count (depends on institution) but many people get along with platelet counts of 10-20. If surgery is planned, then platelet transfusions are indicated to get the count up to 50-100. Be sure to thank those anonymous platelet pheresis donors at your blood center! You might consider donating platelets some day. Those donors are a rare and special breed!

Answer 3

As another person said, the reasons are many. Some benign, some not.

If a patient with low platelet count is bleeding, then platelets and fresh frozen plasma are treatments.

If the patient isn't bleeding, then there may be no treatment. Some conditions that cause low platelets are made WORSE by transfusing platelets.

Answer 4

low platelet count causes more prone to bleeding disorders like thrombocytopenic purpura this condition leads to difficult clot.treatment platelet transfusion.

Answer 5

See a doctor Monday morning.

Answer 6

Some medicines can do this as a side-effect and if it becomes serious you have to go to the hospital.