When I had blood work done my platelet count was 34. They said it is supposed to be 150. What does this mean?

Question

I went to the doctor because I was short of breath and had tightness in my chest. I was diagnosed with GERDS but they also did bloodwork on me and said that my platelets were low. Platelet count was 34. I also have a very severe bladder and kidney infection. I already have Spina Bifida and have since birth but don't think that has anything to do with it. The doctor said that this probably meant that I had something viral. I was but on Levaquin for the bladder/kidney infection and during this time I began feeling dizzy, light-headed, and very shaky with a slight headache. I stopped the medacine and I feel alot better but not back to normal. I am just worried about my platelet count though because I got on the internet to see what could cause that and according to what I understand on some websites, a cause could be Luekeimia. This just really freaks me out Could it really be this bad? Am I overreacting? Please help!

Answer 1

Oh man....you should be concerned and high tailing it to another facility ASAP....probably the ER. Pack a bag because chances are they will keep you.

Being that you were sick with infections I am guessing you have ITP going on. I have an autoimmune disease that can cause it so we always have to watch it. My Platelets dropped to half of what they normally are so now we have to watch those numbers too...no where near how low yours are. I do know of people's who were lower. Usually less than 40 is when they start admitting people becuase of risk of bleeding. Be Careful!

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an immune disorder in which the body attacks the cells responsible for blood clotting (platelets), resulting in mild to severe bleeding. The cause of ITP is not known (idiopathic).

People with this disorder may have bruises or black-and-blue marks (purpura) on the skin. Internal bleeding is a more serious complication that can occur.

Some cases of ITP may go away on their own and do not require treatment. In other cases, treatment may be needed to control bleeding. Steroid medication (such as prednisone) also may be needed to suppress the immune system. An intravenous (IV) infusion of a substance made from human blood plasma (immune globulin) may be given. On rare occasions, the spleen may need to be removed.

Answer 2

Answer: Platelets are the smallest cell-like structures in the blood and are important for blood clotting and plugging damaged blood vessels. Platelet counts are usually done by laboratory machines that also count other blood elements such as the white and red cells. Normal platelet counts are in the range of 150,000 to 400,000 per microliter (or 150 - 400 x 109 per liter), but the normal range for the platelet count varies slightly among different laboratories. An elevated platelet count is known as thrombocytosis. The laboratory where the test was performed will be able to tell whether a platelet count of 420,000 represents an elevated value for this laboratory. An elevated platelet count can be observed in people without significant medical problems. Mild to moderately elevated platelet counts are commonly seen when chronic inflammation is present. In other cases a high platelet count can signal a more serious blood problem known as a myeloproliferative disorder (abnormal growth of blood cell elements within the bone marrow). Your doctor may need to perform additional tests to determine the cause of an abnormally high platelet count

Answer 3

A low platelet count is frequently assumed to represent ITP (immune thrombocytopenic purpura). However there are many other possible causes of thrombocytopenia, with clinical severity ranging from trivial to life threatening. ITP is a diagnosis of exclusion. This means that only after all other possible causes of low platelets have been ruled out, can a diagnosis of ITP be settled.

This makes it important to know or at least be aware of the other common causes of low platelets that may be mistaken for or misdiagnosed as ITP. These other causes are either platelet production problems centered in the bone marrow or platelet destruction problems centered in the liver or spleen. Some low platelet conditions are characterized by both a low rate of production and a high rate of platelet destruction. Also try this link...

Answer 4

That is very low indeed. With platelet counts that low you must be very careful not to cut yourself or bruise yourself. If you notice little red pinprick dots all over your trunk or arms that is a sign of that too.

Normally, people on chemo can get very low platelets, it's due to certain medications. Maybe something you are taking has caused this.

True it can be caused by a number of other things including leukemia but you shouldn't jump to conclusions. Find out what your other counts are. Your white blood cells (WBCs) could be low attributing to tiredness, they help fight infection; and Hemaglobin levels...they can cause anemia and fatigue...polymorphs are another thing you should find out about...if too low you will be considered neutropenic and unable to fight off infection.

You need to be on the RIGHT antibiotic to fight your infection. If it has passed from your bladder into your kidney that is a serious infection. You need to get a test done on your bladder/kidney to determine what it is and only a qualified specialist can usually put you on the RIGHT medication. GPs often give you broad spectrum antibiotics but you need an expert to give you the ones that zero in on the right condition that you have.

Answer 5

Your doc told you it was due to viral infection (which can not be cured with antibotics) this could be true... Call him, explain this to him. See what he says. If your really concerned have him do bloodowork again see where your platelets are now. Chances are if the viral infection made its way through your system your platelets are fine. Same thing happened to my daughter she had HSP which is a viral infection that attcks the veins of your extremities. I had to keep her home (she was 3 at the time) for a week to make sure she didnt have a bad fall at day care or bump her head (she could have bled to death and we'd never had known). two weeks later her blood platlets were back up to normal. (blood platelets are what makes your blood clot)

Call your doctor, there are many reasons for low blood platelets but your ovbiously not trusting what he told you to begin with. That or seek second opinion I had to with my daughter the first doc said the unpalpable rash on her legs were flea bites. I promptly took her to a childrens hospital who correctly diagnosed her.

Answer 6

i don't know if it could be leukemia, you should ask your doctor... but a low platelet count means that if you get cut then you might have a harder time getting scabs... your platelets are supposed to make scabs when you bleed so you don't just keep bleeding, but if you have a low amount then you might bleed more than other people before your cut turns into a scab. i learned this in science.

Answer 7

You should ask your doctor and tell him all this stuff. I'm sure if he thought it was Luekeimia he'd investigate more. From what I've found on the net the symptoms you are experiencing are because of your low count. Kidney issues can cause the low count.

Everyone with spina bifida has had it since birth.

Answer 8

Why the hell are you asking for answers to serious medical questions here on Yahoo Answers?

You've paid for blood work...

You've visited your doctor...

Your doctor should have explained what the results mean, and what you need to do to correct the problem. NO ONE on Yahoo Answers is qualified to answer your question.

If you didn't have the sense to ask your doctor what the hell the results mean... if you didn't understand what the hell he was saying to you... you need to call him up, and ask what you should be doing...

call him up.... get answers, or make an appointment to get the answers you need. If you don't think you are capable of asking questions, take someone with you who not only can, but will ask those important questions.

Answer 9

No, of course having a fifth of the normal blood count you should have is perfectly normal.

Answer 10

I'd say that you are not over-reacting and that you need to see a specialist ASAP