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When a person has a low platelet count, this means that the blood does not have enough platelets, or thrombocytes, to help them clot the blood in order to heal wounds. Another term for the condition is known as thrombocytopenia, and depending on the amount of platelets and the reason the condition exists, it can either be mild or extremely dangerous. The cause and the severity of the illness will also ultimately determine what course of treatment will be taken.
Low platelet count can occur due to a number of natural reasons, such as pregnancy and other similar conditions. Normally, a reduction in the amount of platelets that a person has is not a cause for concern, so doctors do not treat it when the reduction is mild, instead using the wait and watch approach to see what happens. Thrombocytopenia caused by pregnancy will usually result in a normal recovery without worry. Children will also have an easier time recovering from the condition due to their young marrow being able to quickly produce platelets.
In other situations, however, medications are needed to treat a low platelet count, especially with the instance of ITP, where the body mistakenly considers platelets to be a foreign substance in the body, causing it to attack the platelets and destroy them. Medications can cause this stance as well. In these cases, doctors will provide medications to disable the auto-immune response to destroying the platelets. Treating ITP can also include removing the spleen, which can be greatly encouraging the response to destroying the thrombocytes.
One of the primary approaches to treating this condition includes blood or platelet transfusions, with both potentially being necessary. When a person experiences very low platelet counts, there can be internal bleeding, meaning blood must be replaced. Transmitting more platelets would also be a good preventative to keep internal bleeding from occurring. Due to the risk of low platelet count with cancer, patients who are also undergoing the treatment of cancer will also often have to include platelet transfusions in their course of treatment to prevent internal bleeding and other complications from chronic low platelet count and similar problems.
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Low platelet count?
platelet count
Do I need to worry if my platelet count is 88 with chemo?
Is my platelet count too low at 88
What is the significance of a low platelet count?
A low platelet count generally puts an individual at high risk of bleeding, or hemorrhage. The underlying cause of a low platelet count could be several diseases ranging from a something benign to HIV or leukemia.
What problem in low platelet count?
Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Can a low platelet count cause hair loss?
no
Does low platelet count cause stroke?
yes
What is TROMBOCyTopenia?
This is medical terminology for a low platelet count condition.
Is a 67 platelet count bad?
It's abnormal (low).
What does it mean if Platelet Parameters PDW is LOW?
Platelet parameters on PDW being low is indicative of the probability of increased bleeding. When a platelet count is low, a person may be asymptomatic until injury or surgery.
Does a low platelet count mean you have HIV?
no, it doesn't mean that there is HIV
What does low wbc count of 3.1 and low platelet count of 120 mean?
low wbc count depicts immunosuppressed patient,with a compromised deffence mechanism,low platelet count means thrombocytopaenia where the patient has a bleeding disorder resulting to excessive blood loss incase of an injury
Low MPV count?
A MPV count stands for Mean Platelet Volume. A low count during this test may suggest that your platelet count is lower than normal. Some causes to this include viral infections, certain drugs, thrombocytopenia, and some genetic disorders.
