Thrombocytopenia

Low platelet count - thrombocytopenia

Thrombocytopenia is often divided into 3 major causes of low platelets:

1. Not enough platelets are made in the bone marrow
2. Increased breakdown of platelets in the bloodstream
3. Increased breakdown of platelets in the spleen or liver

Your bone marrow may not make enough platelets if you have any of the following conditions:

• Aplastic anemia
• Cancer in the bone marrow, such as leukemia
• Cirrhosis (liver scarring)
• Folate deficiency
• Infections in the bone marrow (very rare)
• Myelodysplastic syndrome (bone marrow does not make enough blood cells or makes defective cells)
• Vitamin B12 deficiency

Use of certain drugs may also lead to a low production of platelets in the bone marrow. The most common example is chemotherapy treatment.

The following health conditions cause increased breakdown of platelets:

• Disorder in which the proteins that control blood clotting become over active, most often during a serious illness (DIC)
• Drug-induced low platelet count
• Swollen spleen
• Disorder in which the immune system destroys platelets (ITP)
• Disorder that causes blood clots to form in small blood vessels, causing a low platelet count (TTP)

You may not have any symptoms. Or you may have general symptoms, such as:

• Bleeding in the mouth and gums
• Bruising
• Nosebleeds
• Rash (pinpoint red spots called petechia)

Other symptoms depend on the cause.

Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your medical history and symptoms. The following tests may be done:

• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Blood clotting tests (PTT and PT)

Other tests that may help diagnose this condition include bone marrow aspiration or biopsy.

Treatment depends on the cause of the condition. In some cases, a transfusion of platelets may be required to stop or prevent bleeding.

The outcome depends on the disorder causing the low platelet counts.

Severe bleeding (hemorrhage) is the main complication. Bleeding may occur in the brain or gastrointestinal tract.

Call your provider if you experience unexplained bleeding or bruising.

Prevention depends on the specific cause.