Low Platelet Count

By on Saturday, September 17th, 2011 | No Comments

Low Platelet Count


The human body has three blood components: the red blood cells or erythrocytes, the white blood cells or leukocytes and the platelets or thrombocytes. Irregularities and abnormalities found on each blood cell component indicate a blood disorder. One method to identify any blood disorder is determining a person’s blood count. A normal RBC (red blood cell) count of adults is 4 to 6 million/µL of blood. The normal level of WBC (white blood cells) in adults is 4.3 to 10.8 x 109 cells per liter. The normal platelet levels, however, ranges from 150,000 to 450,000/ µL of blood. A blood count result higher or lower than the normal range may indicate a blood disorder. One of the watched out and dangerous blood count irregularity by many individuals is the low platelet count, otherwise known as thrombocytopenia.

All blood components, the platelets included, are produced from the body’s bone marrow. Platelets, in particular, came from the largest cells in the bone marrow called the megakaryocytes. The life span of platelets is only for seven to ten days in the bloodstream. After ten days, the platelets are removed from the blood circulation.
The platelet’s role in the human body is for blood clotting and control of bleeding. When there’s injury or bleeding in any part of the body, platelets, as part of the body’s control mechanism called hemostasis, becomes activated after a release of chemicals and they go to the certain part of the body to clot the area preventing further bleeding. The activated platelets stick and adhere to each other to plug up the injured blood vessels wall and stop the flow of blood out of the vessel.



Low Platelet CountLow platelet count can affect the body’s hemostasis mechanism. Although the platelets will still function normally, the decrease in its count in each µL of blood may result to bleeding injuries. Signs and symptoms of low platelet count disorders include prolonged bleeding time and presence of petechiae and purpura or red small rashes indicating bleeding in the sub-endothelial area. More serious symptoms of low platelet count include nose bleeding or epistaxis, and blood found in stool or urine. A platelet count is done through a laboratory test for complete blood count.

Low Platelet Count – Causes

There are several causes of low platelet count. One is the reduced production of this blood component in the bone marrow. Disorders of the bone marrow such as aplastic anemia or leukemia can also affect the produced amount of platelets. Treatments such as chemotherapy and viral infection can also affect the bone marrow’s ability to produce normal amount of platelets in the bloodstream.

Another possible cause of thrombocytopenia is the breakdown of platelets. Platelets are normally destroyed after its ten days life span but the breakdown is increased in some circumstances lowering the blood platelet levels. Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus destroy normal cells of the body causing thrombocytopenia. Pregnancy can cause mild thrombocytopenia conditions. Bacteria in blood can destroy the thrombocytes which can be life threatening. Medications can also contribute to the lowered count of blood platelets.

Low Platelet Count Symptoms

By on Saturday, September 17th, 2011 | No Comments

Low Platelet Count Symptoms

Thrombocytopenia is a condition characterized by a low platelet count in the blood. Platelets are important blood component that plays a role in the body’s capability of hemostasis or bleeding control. As a part in the primary hemostasis mechanism of the body, platelets adhere together and form a plug on the site of the break in the blood vessel wall.


low platelet count symptomsLow platelet count symptoms are usually observable when the condition of thrombocytopenia is severe. The symptoms mostly involve signs of bleeding such as nose bleeding (epistaxis), gum bleeding, gastro-intestinal tract bleeding seen in stools with blood, urinary tract bleeding seen in the presence of blood in the urine and bleeding underneath the epithelial cells of the skin manifested by small red rashes called purpura and tiny dots called petechiae. Capillaries in the nasal and oral cavity are very tiny and they easily bleed when damaged. A patient with thrombocytopenia experience bleeding from a damaged capillary for a longer time than normal. Easy bruising is also manifested by a person with thrombocytopenia as the injured capillaries in the sub-endothelial part of the skin continue to bleed. Fatigability and general body weakness is also felt, which may be associated with blood loss from damaged vessels.


There are many causes of thrombocytopenia. Underlying hematologic and other medical conditions can cause the low platelet count symptoms. Diet and drug effects also contribute to the bone marrow’s inability to produce sufficient amounts of platelets. Vitamin B12 and Folic acid are nutrients that aid DNA synthesis that allows the bone marrow to function properly in producing blood cells. Deficiency of these micronutrients may contribute to thrombocytopenia. Chemotherapy is a treatment that suppresses the bone marrow and therefore, production of blood cells are decreased significantly causing low platelet count symptoms. Chemotherapeutic drugs that cause direct myelo-suppression are Carboplatin, Interferons, Methotrexate, Valproic Acid and Panobinostat.


There are several hematologic and medical disorders causing the low platelet count symptoms in thrombocytopenia. Disorders of the bone marrow such as leukemia and aplastic anemia cause severe thrombocytopenia. A rare hematologic disorder is the idiopathic Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura where platelets are used up forming numerous tiny blood clots in small blood vessels throughout the bloodstream.


Autoimmune disorders such as lupus are disorders where the leukocytes or white blood cells of the body attack and destroy the normal cells of the body including the platelets, causing the low platelet count. Viral and bacterial infections also cause the drop in platelet counts. Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome is a rare hematologic disease caused by an E. coli infection acquired by ingesting uncooked meat. This disorder is characterized by a very low platelet count, red blood cell destruction and kidney impairment.


Pregnancy also causes mild gestational thrombocytopenia where platelet count is lowered at around 70,000/µL of blood. Patients undergoing surgery will also have mild thrombocytopenia as the platelets are used on hemostasis during the surgical operation. Blood component transfusions of platelets are usually done during surgery to prevent severe thrombocytopenia.


Thrombocytopenia is confirmed through a complete blood test where the number of platelets in every microliter of blood is determined. Mild conditions of thrombocytopenia don’t need treatment and may be managed with adequate intake of vitamin B12 and folic acid to aid in the production of sufficient amounts of blood cells. Severe thrombocytopenia, however, may need blood transfusions. Corticosteroids are given to patients with an autoimmune disorder causing the thrombocytopenia.
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