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What is the most common cause of low platelet count?
One of the most common causes of low platelets is a condition called immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). You may hear it called by its old name, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
What diseases are caused by low platelets?
Thrombocytopenia Causes
- Have a blood disorder that affects your bone marrow, called aplastic anemia.
- Have cancer such as leukemia or lymphoma, which damages your bone marrow.
- Have a platelet-lowering disease like Wiskott-Aldrich or May-Hegglin syndromes.
- Have a virus such as chickenpox, mumps, rubella, HIV, or Epstein-Barr.
Is low platelet count serious?
A low platelet count is a blood disorder that has a long list of possible causes. It is also known as thrombocytopenia. Reduced platelet content in the blood is not always a serious problem. However, the condition affects the ability of the blood to clot, and wounds can bleed severely with this condition.
What does low platelet indicate?
People with thrombocytopenia have low platelet levels. Platelets aid blood clotting (stopping bleeding). When platelet levels are low, you may bruise and bleed excessively. Certain cancers, cancer treatments, medications and autoimmune diseases can cause the condition.
What is the alarming level of platelets?
When a platelet count is below 50,000, bleeding is more serious if you’re cut or bruised. If the platelet count falls below 10,000 to 20,000 per microliter, spontaneous bleeding may occur and is considered a life-threatening risk.
How do you raise your platelet count?
8 Things That Can Increase Your Blood Platelet Count
- Eating more leafy greens.
- Eating more fatty fish.
- Increasing folate consumption.
- Avoiding alcohol.
- Eating more citrus.
- Consuming more iron-rich foods.
- Trying a chlorophyll supplement.
- Avoiding vitamin E and fish oil supplements.
What cancers cause low platelets?
Certain cancers such as leukemia or lymphoma can lower your platelet count. The abnormal cells in these cancers can crowd out healthy cells in the bone marrow, where platelets are made. Less common causes of a low platelet count include: Cancer that spreads to the bone.
What foods to avoid if you have low platelets?
If you have thrombocytopenia, try to:
- Avoid activities that could cause injury. Ask your doctor which activities are safe for you.
- Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. Alcohol slows the production of platelets in your body.
- Use caution with over-the-counter medications.
Do low platelets make you tired?
Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) definition and facts. Symptoms and signs of thrombocytopenia may include fatigue, bleeding, and others.
Can low platelets make you tired?
How can I stop my platelets from dropping?
What is the treatment for a low platelet count?
- avoiding contact sports.
- avoiding activities with a high risk of bleeding or bruising.
- limiting alcohol consumption.
- stopping or switching medications that affect platelets, including aspirin and ibuprofen.
How can I raise my platelet count quickly?
Several vitamins and minerals can encourage a higher platelet count, including:
- Folate-rich foods. Share on Pinterest Black-eyed peas are a folate-rich food.
- Vitamin B-12-rich foods.
- Vitamin C-rich foods.
- Vitamin D-rich foods.
- Vitamin K-rich foods.
- Iron-rich foods.
What causes a low platelet count in the blood?
The platelet count in your bloodstream is reduced by one or more of the following main processes: 1 Decreased production of platelets. 2 Increased destruction of platelets. 3 Increased trapping of platelets in the spleen.
Do you need treatment for low platelet count?
People with mild thrombocytopenia may not need treatment. For example, they may not have symptoms or the condition clears up on its own. Some people develop severe or long-term (chronic) thrombocytopenia. Depending on what’s causing your low platelet count, treatments may include:
What causes low platelets in the third trimester?
Pregnancy: Gestational thrombocytopenia is a fairly common condition during the third trimester due to increased blood dilution, as blood volume continues to increase and platelet counts fail to increase at the same rate. It’s important to note that this decline is usually not associated with risk for serious bleed.
What causes platelets to be destroyed in the body?
Autoimmune diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis can cause the body to attack and destroy its own platelets. This rare blood disorder causes small blood clots to form throughout your body. The increased clotting uses up platelets.