Share this on:. Platelets — also called thrombocytes — are the cells that help your blood clot. The bone marrow produces them. Platelet count is the number of platelets in the blood. A normal platelet count ranges from , to , If the number of platelets is too low, excessive bleeding can occur. Some things can affect how well the bone marrow can produce platelets. Cancer treatments — such as chemotherapy and some radiation therapy — can slow the production of platelets in the bone marrow and temporarily cause a low platelet count.
Bone marrow cancer and some other health conditions can also cause a low platelet count. A platelet count below 50, is low.
This may cause you to bruise or bleed more easily than usual. A platelet count below 20, is very low. Your doctor may order platelet transfusions until your count returns to a safe level. UPMC Hillman Cancer Center provides world-class cancer care, from diagnosis to treatment, to help you in your cancer battle.
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If you begin bleeding, contact your doctor at once. Follow these steps to minimize bleeding:. If you have a low platelet count and you begin bleeding, call your doctor right away. It is important to identify the cause of low platelets. When the cause is clear, treatment can usually help your levels return to normal. If you are receiving therapies that affect your platelet count, such as cancer treatment, your platelets should return to normal once the treatment ends.
Keep in mind that the timeline is different for everyone. In some cases, a platelet transfusion may be needed. This is a procedure where you receive platelets from a donor through a vein. A transfusion can help prevent complications from bleeding.
Autoimmune conditions can be treated with drugs that suppress your immune system. This will help stop the destruction of platelets. When low platelets are caused by medication, the solution is often just switching medications. Your doctor will help you find the right alternative drug.
When the cause is known, low platelets will usually resolve with treatment. You may need to change medication or wait until you are done with treatments like chemotherapy. Platelet transfusions are sometimes required. People with thrombocytopenia have a low number of blood platelets. This can lead to problems with excessive bleeding. Low platelets may be genetic. Typically, though, low platelets are caused by conditions that either lead to the destruction of platelets or prevent platelets from forming.
Certain medications or therapies like cancer treatment may also cause low platelets. People with low platelets have a variety of symptoms including excessive bleeding and easy bruising. Low platelets can be managed by avoiding situations that might cause bleeding.
The condition usually gets better once the cause is understood and the patient gets treatment. Low platelets, or thrombocytopenia, are a common side effect of blood cancers and their treatment. They can also be caused by autoimmune diseases, pregnancy, heavy alcohol consumption, or certain medications. When you have low platelets, you may have frequent or excessive bleeding. It is important to try to avoid injury. This will help prevent dangerous complications.
Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk. These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones. Sign up and get your guide! Jinna S, Khandhar PB. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Balduini CL, Savoia A. Genetics of familial forms of thrombocytopenia. Hum Genet. Moses S. Family Practice Notebook. Thrombocytopenia causes. Updated August Effect of severe sepsis on platelet count and their indices.
Afr Health Sci. Smock J, Perkins S. Thrombocytopenia: an update. Int J Lab Hematol. Updated September 1, A look at platelet count in chronic hepatitis C infection. EMJ Hepatol. Bone changes in alcoholic liver disease. World J Hepatol.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Low platelet count. January A platelet count above , platelets per microlitre of blood is considered to be high. The technical name for this is thrombocytosis.
If you have a low platelet count , then you have a condition called thrombocytopenia. This might be caused by a bone marrow disorder such as leukemia, an immune system disorder along with anemia low hemoglobin count , or a viral infection such as hepatitis. Alternatively, thrombocytopenia can be a side effect of taking some medications such as chemotherapy or certain antibiotics that can interfere with the bone marrow.
Thrombocytopenia may be mild and a person may have no symptoms with it. However, a lack of platelets means that the blood may not clot properly. If it is a severe case, symptoms include increased bruising, heavy menstrual flows, blood in the urine or stool and bleeding gums.
It can also cause a skin rash of superficial bleeding called petechiae, which looks like tiny red dots and can often appear on the lower legs. High platelet count can indicate either essential thrombocythemia or reactive thrombocytosis. Essential thrombocythemia is a rare bone marrow condition which causes the body to overproduce platelets. This is a chronic condition and is caused by genetic mutation, but the reasons for this abnormality are uncertain.
Reactive thrombocytosis is a temporary elevation of the blood cells in response to another condition. While the response itself is often a normal part of acute inflammatory processes, reactive thrombocytosis can be caused by cancer, anemia or certain auto-immune disorders.
It generally resolves when the underlying condition is treated.
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