Manchester, TN
A 40-year-old female asked:
What does it mean when your platelets are low?
3 doctor answers • 13 doctors weighed in
A Verified Doctoranswered
29 years experience
Thrombocytopenia: It means you could be easily. There are different levels of low platelets. Depending on how low, your overall health, your medications, comorbid medical condition your doctor will determine the proper treatment. Normal level is >150, 000. Most people don't have problems if above 100, 000. Below 100, 000 needs more attention.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Ralph Morgan Lewis commented
Family Medicine 39 years experience
"it means you could [bleed] easily"
Feb 18, 2012
Dr. Ritesh Rathoreanswered
Hematology and Oncology 31 years experience
Blood problem: A low platelet count reflects lower amounts of platelets circulating in the blood. This can be due to decreased production or increased destruction. Causes include medications, infections, cancers, bone marriw problems. If very low numbers are presnt then there is an increased risk of bleeding.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 47 years experience
Abnormal events: Low platelets means:1. Increased use- some process possibly xs clotting or infection are using them up 2.Increased distruction- they don't last as long 3. The bone marrow is not making as many as you need (can occur when bone marrow is overtaken by leukemia or other process). Improper collection technique can also produce falsely depressed counts.Gradual return to nl levels can signal recovery.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 44-year-old member asked:
What does it mean when a child's platelets are low?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 47 years experience
Various: Low= error in test, increased breakdown or decreased production.Some sampling methods (fingerstick)are more prone to give inacurate results.Antibodies can form in certain conditions that destroy plts soon after they are made or they can be used up quickly in excessive clotting states. The production sites in the bone marrow can be invaded & shut down as in leukemia.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Livermore, CA
A 29-year-old female asked:
What does it mean when your platelet levels are too low?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Curtis Simmonsanswered
Family Medicine 29 years experience
At risk for bleeding: Platelets are the cells in your blood line to help your blood to clot. When they are low, you may bruise easy and it may take longer for bleeding to stop. You need to follow up with your doctor to evaluate for a cause of your low platelets.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
What do low blood platelets mean?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. James Ballanswered
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 20 years experience
Bleeding risk: Low platelets can mean an increase risk of bleeding. Bleeding can even happen without good cause. The lower the platelet count, the higher the risk for bleeding. The bleeding can be nosebleeds, gum bleeding, heavy periods. The most concerning bleeding would be bleeding inside the skull. This is unusual, but would likely cause a headache and nausea.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
What does it mean to have low blood platelets? How is it treated?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A Verified Doctoranswered
30 years experience
Depends on cause: Platelets help form clots. Low platelets are caused by lack of production or destruction. Immune-mediated thrombocytopenic purpura (itp), a condition where the body makes auto-antibodies against platelets, can be treated with medicines (ivig, win rho, sometimes steroids). If production is the problem, the cause needs to be found. Can be simply caused by a virus, or be as serious as leukemia.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Philippines
A 36-year-old female asked:
What does it mean when you have low hemoglobin and high platelet?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Yash Khannaanswered
Family Medicine 58 years experience
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 problem with that
consult your doctor or a hematologist, you may need iron therapy.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Nov 15, 2017
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