My mom has low platelets, what are her options?

Question

She stopped taking her diabetes (2) pills because she fell into a state of depression. The doctor said that her platelets were decreased dramatically. I dont really understand what platelets are, can some one explain in layman's terms? Can i give her some of mine? Is there a food or vitamin she can take to increase her count?

Answer 1

Platelets are the cell fragments of the blood responsible for activating the blood clot mechanism and is involved in Hemostasis leading to the formation of blood clots responsible for covering up injuries. Having Low platelets can cause her to bleed like nosebleed, bleeding gums. Yes you could give some platelets through Platelet transfusion but it is useless cause low platelet count is not corrected by tranfusion not unless the patient is bleeding or when the platelet count is below
5 x 10^9/L so it's better to let her take the pills given by her doctor.

Your mother is in danger of having Thrombocytopenia if her platelets fall drastically and when it doesn't go back to its normal count.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Platelets are involved in the process of blood coagulation. A low platelet count increases the risk of bleeding, either from trivial trauma or spontaneously.
The normal platelet count is 150,000 to 400,000 per ml. The risk of bleeding increase when the count is less than 50,000. The risk of spontaneous bleeding increases when the count drops below 10,000.
The common causes of a low platelet count are certain drugs and the formation of autoantibodies. A large spleen can also consume platelets.
The treatment is to stop the offending drugs. In autoimmune low platelet count, steroids are typically the first line of treatment. Platelet transfusions may be required if she is at risk for bleeding.

Answer 3

Platelet is responsible for preventing bleeding. There cascade of other important factors in the development of clot. Anyway, the origin of platelet is from marrow similar to the red cells. If there is hypofunction of the production of platelets together with red cell your mum will require bone marrow aspiration and trephine. It may be from virally induced phenomena. I dont know any vitamins or platelets that can stimulate production of platelets. If she developed autoimmune reaction, giving platelets may not be the treatment. Genuinely, she needs investigation 1st and check before starting the treatment.

Answer 4

Platelets are the stuff when you get cut and bleed the platelets stop you from bleeding. Food probally a food with a certain vitamin.

Answer 5

In life, there is sometimes a situation where you are dammed if you do and dammed if you don't. This looks like one of them. Platelets are those gizmos in the blood that schlep the oxygen to cells and schlep the carbon dioxide and other crap from them. If they are low, their function doesn't work too well. The doctor will have to figure out what's going on with the platelets. Hopefully, a dietary supplement like iron pills may work. In more drastic situations, a bone marrow transfer may be needed. Sounds awful, but it is pretty routine.

In the meanwhile, she may have to go back to the drawing board with her meds, because it is hard to be non-depressed and need insulin. Somewhere a happy medium can be found between the three problems.

Answer 6

platelets are responsible for blood coagulation, if the count decreases, you will get bleeding. that is too bad. Talking about food, you can try peanut, date,etc.