Low Platelet Count?

Question

I am feeling weakness and slightly feverish from last 12-13 days. On consultation with the doctor, i was advised to immediately get my CBC checked. I added Thyroid profile alongwith that test also. The result was almost the same as expected Low Platelet count ( 144 out of 150 to 450 range) and TSH as ( 50.630 out of .350 to 5.5). The details of CBC are as below;

(Test) (Result) (Unit) (Ref. Range)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Haemoglobin) (15.10) ( g/dl) (14.00 - 17.40)
(Packed Cell Colunt) (44.20) (%) (41.50 - 50.40)
(Leukocyte Count, Total) (7.90) (thou/mm3) (4.40 - 11.30)
(RBC Count) (4.88) mill/mm3) (4.50 - 5.90)
(Platelet Count) 144.00 (thou/mm3) (150.00 - 450.00)

Answer 1

Your platelets are only borderline low, so don't worry. they are not low enough to cause bleeding. A viral infection can transiently reduce the platelet count. Get another CBC done after a week.
Your TSH is very high, if you have written it correctly. Get your T3 and T4 done also.

Answer 2

Borderline Platelet Count

Answer 3

What is thrombocytopenia?

Thrombocytopenia is the term for a reduced platelet (thrombocyte) count. It happens when platelets are lost from the circulation faster than they can be replaced from the bone marrow where they are made.

Thrombocytopenia can result from:

a failure of platelet production

an increased rate of removal from blood.

What causes a low platelet count?

The many different causes of thrombocytopenia are detailed below. These causes are not mutually exclusive and more than one may be responsible for an abnormal platelet count.

Artefactual (false) thrombocytopenia

Some people have platelets that stick together due to the presence of proteins in the blood (antibodies) that bind to the platelets.
These antibodies also bind to a chemical in blood that is tested in the lab, giving a falsely low platelet count. For this reason, it is helpful to repeat the sample in different tubes with different chemicals.
The platelet count can also be reduced if the blood sample is difficult to take and the blood clots - thus using up some of the platelets.

Congenital thrombocytopenia

Several rare inherited diseases cause low platelet counts. The severity of the thrombocytopenia varies with the condition and also the individual patient.
In some of these conditions, eg May Hegglin anomaly, bleeding doesn't happen often.
In other inherited diseases, eg Bernard Soulier syndrome, the platelets function less well and lifelong bleeding symptoms can occur.

There are other causes. I reccomend you take a look at the site below.

I don't understand why your Dr hasn't explained any of this to you. Maybe you should go back, and have a list of prepared questions you want to ask.xxxx

Answer 4

No one can suggest a remedy including her doctor until the CAUSE is determined. A low platelet count can be caused by decreased production in the bone marrow or increased consumption from a variety of factors. A number of diseases have already been mentioned by previous posters. TTP is another condition that can cause low platelet counts. I'm sure that her doctor has considered all of these things and has determined the likely etiology and best treatment for the same (sometimes the best treatment is to do nothing). I know of no effective naturopathic remedy for thrombocytopenia from whatever the cause.

Answer 5

In the hospital we transfuse platelets. Clotting factors are produced and managed by the liver, by a protein called Factor V (factor 5). Do you have hemophelia? Or liver problems? If no hemophelia, ask you doctor to get a liver profile for you...this may tell you why you're platelet count is low. If your liver enzymes are elevated, your doc will need to investigate further (depending on how elevated that they are).

Elevated liver enzymes can come from an array of things such as alcohol consumption, drug consumption (legal or illegal), fatty diets, liver disease (whether it's something caught from someone else like Hep A, B, or C or autoimmune), cancer...

I have elevated liver enzymes and my platelets tend to run low but still within normal range, however, I consider myself a bleeder. I work nights and there are some prescription meds that I take that cause the elevation.

I would look further into this. All your other labs look remarkable.

Best wishes.

Answer 6

platelets are responsible for blood clotting.. so maybe your blood clotting factor is low therefore if you bleed you will be having a hard time stoping it