Even if you’re sure that you have a low platelet count, it’s highly advised that you seek the professional opinion of a doctor before proceeding with a treatment plan. Some of thrombocytopenia’s symptoms aren’t unique to the disorder. In addition, sometimes low platelet levels do not give any external symptoms.
Prolonged bleeding from minor cuts and scrapes or after surgery, etc. Nosebleeds Bleeding mouth or gums (especially after brushing teeth) Extremely heavy menstrual bleeding Blood in urine or stool Unexplained bruises or small, red spots on the skin called petechiae.
Inherited (genetic) disorders Bone marrow disease (leukemia, etc. ) or disfunction Enlarged/poorly functioning spleen Side-effect of a medication or treatment you are currently taking (radiation, etc. ) Autoimmune disease (lupus, arthritis, AIDS, ITP, etc. ) Bacterial infection in the blood Pregnancy and childbirth (though in these cases thrombocytopenia is usually mild) TTP (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura), a rare condition where the body’s platelets are used up when many small clots form throughout the body
Note that in the cases of some powerful anti-coagulants like heparin, platelet count may not increase when you stop taking the medication. You may need to take additional medications to recover.
Note that the steroids that doctors would prescribe in this case (such as prednisone) are different from the ones used illegally by athletes to boost physical performance. In more extreme cases of autoimmune thrombocytopenia, a doctor may prescribe intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or antibodies to further slow the body’s immune response.
In plasma exchange, the patient’s blood is separated into blood cells and plasma. The plasma is discarded and replaced with plasma from a donor, a saline solution, or albumin. This is done gradually so as not to remove too much of the patient’s blood at any one time. In plasmapheresis, after being separated from the blood cells, the patient’s plasma is treated, then returned to the patient.
On average, splenectomies are successful about 66 percent of the time. However, over time, it is possible for thrombocytopenia to return. People under the age of 40 who undergo a splenectomy have a better chance of increasing their platelet count. Following a splenectomy, platelet counts often become abnormally high, leading to a condition called thrombocytosis. [4] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source In severe and/or prolonged cases, this can cause its own set of problems.
Doctors may prescribe a transfusion even when you are not currently bleeding and not scheduled for surgery. However, this is usually reserved for patients with fewer than 10,000 platelets per microliter of blood.
Foods such a spinach, citrus fruits, kiwis, and dried beans are high in folate, while eggs, milk, cheese, liver, and mutton are high in vitamin B12.
