What is a low platelet count?
Platelets are small cells that circulate in your bloodstream and help your blood clot. They're made in your bone marrow like other blood cells. Platelets are also called thrombocytes.
Your blood normally has a certain number of platelets in a given sample of blood. That number is your platelet count.
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With a low platelet count, you bleed easily
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You may have tiny purple spots on your skin and get nosebleeds and bleeding gums
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A very low platelet count may cause bleeding in your brain or severe bleeding from your intestines
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Many things can cause a low platelet count
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Doctors may do tests to look for the cause
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Doctors treat the cause of the low platelets and may give you a platelet transfusion
What causes a low platelet count?
Many things can cause a low platelet count:
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Pregnancy: Some pregnant women with preeclampsia have low platelets
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Cancer: Leukemia and other cancers that affect the bone marrow
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Infections: HIV infection, hepatitis C, mononucleosis, bodywide bacterial infections (sepsis)
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Drugs: Heparin, certain antibiotics, anticancer drugs
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Enlarged spleen: Platelets can be trapped or destroyed in an enlarged spleen
What are the symptoms of a low platelet count?
What tests do I need for a low platelet count?
How do doctors treat a low platelet count?
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
| Generic Name | Select Brand Names |
|---|---|
Heparin |
PANHEPRIN |
