Low Platelet Count: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

Low Platelet count is a serious condition that both doctors and patients worry about. In medical terms, it is known as "Thrombocytopenia." Thrombocytes are your platelets and penia means a decrease in number. So, it's a condition where you have less platelets than normal.

The usual range of platelet count is 150,000 – 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. If the platelet count reaches below 150,000/ microliter of blood, a severe condition develops known as Thrombocytopenia. 

Symptoms of Thrombocytopenia

If you have a low platelet count, you might observe the following symptoms during your everyday routine:

·        Small areas of bleeding into the skin that leads to tiny red spots.

·        Sometimes, the blood also gets accumulated under the skin causes purple spots. There might be times when you have sudden and excessive nose bleeds.

·        Bleeding from gums.

·        Women might suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding.

·        Black or bloody stool.

·        Blood in your vomit.

·        You may encounter severe headaches, fatigue, muscular and joint pain.

Causes of Low Platelet Count

Platelets are formed from the spongy tissue in your bones. If the amount produced is reduced or destroyed faster, this can lead to Thrombocytopenia.

1. Decrease in your platelet production

If the bone marrow fails to produce platelets, then this condition occurs. Quinine, sulfonamides, anticancer drugs, heparin or alcohol intake can be the reason for this.

Leukemia and Lymphoma can be the reason for producing low platelets. Vitamin B12 and folate deficiency can also be the significant reason.

 2. Increased destruction of Platelets

This occurs due to autoimmune diseases, where body acts against your cells and destroys them.

3. Platelets trapped in the spleen

Sometimes the platelets get trapped in an organ that fights with infection. It prevents the platelets from circulation in the bloodstream. Thus, it causes low platelet count.

Diagnose of Low Platelet Count

When visiting the doctor, they will take a medical history. They will ask you questions about your bleeding history, duration of bleeding time, the use of any medications, alcohol consumption and recent blood transfusions. You will also be asked about your family history regarding the same condition and recent exposure to Heparin.

After all the inquiries, your blood sample is taken for the following blood investigations:

1. To check, reduced platelet count usually ranges from 10,000-50,000/ microliter of blood.

2. Your blood film may show only occasional platelets, and that too enlarged.

3. With more advanced techniques, anti-platelet IgG antibodies can be detected on your platelet surface. These antibodies will attack your platelets leading to their low count.

4. The reduced life span of your platelets, sometimes less than an hour compared to the normal lifespan of 7-10 days.

Treatment

1. Steroids: Doctor can prescribe the steroids to reduce the destruction of platelets and promote the production.

2. Revalode 25mg: It will act as a platelet growth factor. It also treats chronic ITP (Immune-mediated thrombocytopenic purpura) in adults.

3. Platelet Transfusion: If severe bleeding occurs or any life threating condition occurs, then platelet transfusion can be done, it’s a temporary treatment.

4. Romy 250mcg Injection: Romy 250mcg Injection contains the active constituent romiplostim. It is used to treat immune primary thrombocytopenia (called ITP). ITP is a disorder in which the body’s immune system destroys its own platelets, the blood cells which help seal cuts and form blood cuts.

If you discover any random conditions that advance your danger for Thrombocytopenia, it's vital to avoid potential risks for your wellbeing. A low platelet count can put you in danger for excess bleeding and wounds. It's very important to see your doctor if you notice any signs and symptoms of Thrombocytopenia.