A 30-year-old member asked:
what does a low platelet count mean?
2 doctor answers
Dr. James Ferguson answered
45 years experience Pediatrics
Lab error or real: The platelets are fragile & subject to clumping in the specimen& that drops the count. Repeating a level would be prudent on a random low count. True low counts come from decreased production(illness, bad bone marrow, cancer) or increased loss/destruction (disease, bleeding disorder).
Answered on Jun 28, 2018
Dr. James Ferguson answered
45 years experience Pediatrics
Error,prodctn,distru: A random low platelet count is often the result of the nature of the test. Platelets are frail & may clump in the specimen before the test is run so a falsely lowered count is found.Low production during illness or bone marrow failure usually shows up in several blood cells. Increased destruction by immune factors or loss with bleeding disorders are seen. Platelets only last a few days at best.
Answered on Jun 28, 2018
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Related questions:
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Scott Welker answered
26 years experience General Surgery
Folic acid deficient: Is one of the most common reasons; there are literally hundreds of others. You might start by taking a daily multivitamin, but i it doesn't work you ... Read More
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Ferguson answered
45 years experience Pediatrics
Various: Low= error in test, increased breakdown or decreased production.Some sampling methods (fingerstick)are more prone to give inacurate results.Antibodies ... Read More
A 36-year-old female asked:
Dr. Yash Khanna answered
56 years experience Family Medicine
Iron deficiency Anem: Low hemoglobin may be from excessive blood loss guring menstruation or some other cause and high platlet may be mildly elevated and there is no proble ... Read More
2
2 thanks
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Deborah Sculco answered
36 years experience Hematology and Oncology
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 ... Read More
3
3 thanks
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
People also searched for:
Connect by text or video with a U.S. board-certified doctor now — wait time is less than 1 minute!
Unlimited visits
$10/month