Question 1

what does low platelets mean?

Accepted Answer

Many things: Could be factitious or drug or associated with disease process
platelet can clump leading to a falsely low count.  This due to edta in the blood tube.
Review of smear would clarify or could consider drawing blood in a citrated blue top tube instead of the standard purple.
Drugs i.E chemotherapy and antibiotics as well as anticonvulsant and other drugs can lower the platelet count.

Question 2

what could cause low platelets?

Accepted Answer

Many things: Low platelets are caused either because the bone marrow is not making enough platelets, or they are being destroyed.  This is a potentially serious problem and should be evaluated by a hematologist.

Question 3

what are causes for mildly low platelets?

Accepted Answer

See below: Please consult this site for information on this topic.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thrombocytopenia/basics/causes/CON-20027170

For good health - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low fat milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. 
Practice safe sex.

Question 4

what does it mean to have  low platelets?

Accepted Answer

Bleeding risk: Low platelets can cause easy bleeding, such as nosebleeds.  There are several causes of low platelets, so this should be followed closely.

Question 5

if you get low platelets, how do you feel?

Accepted Answer

Symptoms: There may be no symptoms from having low platelets but it can also be associated with easy bruising or bleeding problems. The bleeding problems can range from mild to life-threatening.

Question 6

is it ok to work out with low platelets 5k?

Accepted Answer

Probably not: With platelet count less that 20k, you are at real risk of bleeding with minimal trauma, so this is probably not a good time to be in the gym. Assuming you are getting treatment, you should wait until the count comes up, but it is vital that you talk to your doctor about it.

Question 7

how will low platelets affect other parts of my body?

Accepted Answer

Risk for bleeding: Low platelet will give you risk for bleeding. The lower the platelet l the higher your risk for bleeding. Technically speaking- if your platelet is lower than 10.000- you can have increase risk for spontaneous bleeding. And bleeding can happen anywhere including head. Please see and discuss with your doctor.  Need to find the cause off course and treat the underlying problem as indicated.

Question 8

what is the definition or description of: low platelets?

Accepted Answer

Platets are found: In the blood.  They "bud" ie break off from cells in the bone marrow called megakaryocytes.  A normal platelet count is 140-400.  Platelets are the first line of defense in blood vessel bleeding.  They "plug holes" until the coagulation proteins can begin to lay down clot.

Question 9

low platelets past few years. as low as 80,000, but mainly hovers between 100-130. when would it need to be looked further into?

Accepted Answer

Now: Not urgently, but I would recommend seeing a specialist for any of my patients. We Immunologists think of drug reactions, issues related to enlargement of the spleen or maybe the production of antibodies (autoimmune) against platelets. Potential causes are many and it worth a work-up

Question 10

can gout  cause low platelets?

Accepted Answer

Thrombocytopenia: Acute gout, a very inflammatory condition, is usually assoc. with high platelets, also called thrombocytosis. If a patient with Gout is on treatment  called allopurinol to reduce uric acid, than a side effect of this medicine is low platelets. But this is rare; would advise a thorough review of all medications and interactions to be sure that there is no unwanted side effects from medications

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Doctor answers about:

Critically low platelets

A member asked:

What does low platelets mean?

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What could cause low platelets?

A member asked:

What are causes for mildly low platelets?

A member asked:

What does it mean to have low platelets?

A member asked:

If you get low platelets, how do you feel?

A member asked:

Is it ok to work out with low platelets 5k?

A member asked:

How will low platelets affect other parts of my body?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: low platelets?

A member asked:

Low platelets past few years. as low as 80,000, but mainly hovers between 100-130. when would it need to be looked further into?

A member asked:

Can gout cause low platelets?

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