Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPlatelet CountsCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentComplications
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Platelet Counts
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Complications
A low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) means your blood lacks the small cells needed to form clots. Common causes of low platelets include an autoimmune disease calledidiopathicthrombocytopenic purpura(ITP), bone marrow disorders (e.g., leukemia), infection, nutritional deficiencies, pregnancy, and certain medications.
Symptoms include bruising easily, a rash of tiny red spots, nosebleeds or bleeding gums, blood in the urine or stool, painful joints, or excessive bleeding after minor injuries. Treatment of low platelets varies depending on the cause but may include IV infusion. Havinglow plateletscan be life-threatening.
What Is a Low Platelet Count?
Thrombocytopenia is the medical term for a low platelet count. Platelets are blood cells that cause blood to clot. Thrombocytopenia is defined as a platelet count of less than 150,000 platelets/mL, regardless of your age.
Acomplete blood count (CBC) testis a standard panel of bloodwork. The platelet count is one of the things this test measures. Here is what various platelet counts mean:
Normal:Between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets per microliter of bloodLow:Below 150,000 platelets per microliterMild bleeding risk:Below 50,000 platelets per microliterSerious bleeding risk:10,000 to 20,000 platelets per microliter or lower
What Causes Low Platelets?
The causes ofthrombocytopeniainclude:
Platelet Dysfunction or Destruction
Your body may produce enough platelets, but some conditions and medicines can destroy or stop them from working correctly (dysfunction).
Autoimmune conditions: Anautoimmune conditionlikelupusandrheumatoid arthritiscauses your immune system to attack healthy cells, which may cause a drop in platelets.
Bacterial blood infections:Bacteremia, also called blood poisoning, is a bacterial infection that affects the blood.
Medications: Medications that can cause low platelets include:
When low platelet counts arise from drug use, it is known as drug-induced thrombocytopenia.
Decreased Platelet Production
Your body may not produce enough platelets because of certain health conditions. Some common causes are:
Genetic Causes of Low Platelets
Thrombocytopenia can be genetic, which means it is passed down through families. Genetic forms are rare. They are sometimes misdiagnosed as other forms of the disease.
Von Willebrand Disease: Von Willebrand disease is the most common bleeding disorder in the United States. There are three different types of this disease, and type 2 is known to cause low platelet count.Treatment is available with medication.
Evans Syndrome: Evans syndrome is a rare disease where the body’s immune system attacks the body’s blood cells, including platelets.In addition to symptoms of low platelets, people with Evans syndrome may also experience paleness, lightheadedness, and fatigue.
Trapped Platelets
A healthyspleenstores up to one-third of the body’s platelets. If the spleen becomes enlarged, it can retain more platelets than it should. This will prevent them from entering the bloodstream and lead to a low platelet count.
How Can I Raise My Platelet Count Quickly?Eating certain foodsmay help increase your platelet count naturally, although there is no specific “low platelet diet.” These include:PapayasKiwisStrawberriesDark green leafy vegetables (e.g., spinach, mustard/collard greens)Dark chocolateNutritional yeast
How Can I Raise My Platelet Count Quickly?
Eating certain foodsmay help increase your platelet count naturally, although there is no specific “low platelet diet.” These include:PapayasKiwisStrawberriesDark green leafy vegetables (e.g., spinach, mustard/collard greens)Dark chocolateNutritional yeast
Eating certain foodsmay help increase your platelet count naturally, although there is no specific “low platelet diet.” These include:
A low platelet count can cause a variety of symptoms. Contact your healthcare provider if you notice these issues, or if they become more frequent or severe:
Signs of an Emergency
Seek medical attention immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:
If a low platelet count is suspected, your healthcare provider will perform a physical examination which will include looking for bleeding under the skin and an enlarged spleen. A medical history will also be taken. Be sure to disclose any medications, vitamins, or supplements you are taking.
Your blood will also be drawn for a complete blood count test—used to determine your platelet count and other blood measures.
If a low platelet count is found, other tests and procedures may be suggested to determine the exact cause of your condition.
How Low Platelet Count is Treated
It is important to identify the cause of low platelets. When the cause is clear, treatment canhelp your levels return to normal.
If you are receiving therapies that affect your platelet count, such as cancer treatment, your platelets should return to normal once the treatment ends. Keep in mind that the timeline is different for everyone.
In some cases, a platelet transfusion or exchange may be needed. These procedures involve receiving platelets from a donor through a vein to help prevent complications from bleeding.
Treatment can also include spleen removal.
How to Lower Your Risk of Bleeding
Possible Complications
The risk of complications increases the lower the platelet count is. One of the primary risks is bleeding.
If you begin bleeding,contact your healthcare provider right awayand follow these steps to minimize blood loss:
Summary
Low platelet symptoms include excessive bleeding and easy bruising. Once diagnosed it is important to avoid injury to prevent dangerous complications. Treatments include switching medications, platelet exchange or transfusion, and splenectomy.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Platelet disorders - thrombocytopenia.Moses S. Family Practice Notebook.Thrombocytopenia Causes.Johansson D, Rasmussen M, Inghammar M.Thrombocytopenia in bacteraemia and association with bacterial species.Epidemiol Infect. 2018;146(10):1312-1317. doi:10.1017/S0950268818001206George JN. Platelets on The Web.Database of Individual Patient Reports through 2018.Vayne C, Guéry EA, Rollin J, Baglo T, Petermann R, Gruel Y.Pathophysiology and diagnosis of drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia.J Clin Med. 2020;9(7):2212. doi:10.3390/jcm9072212Arnoldussen IAC, Witkamp RF.Effects of nutrients on platelet function: a modifiable link between metabolic syndrome and neurodegeneration?Biomolecules. 2021;11(10):1455. doi:10.3390/biom11101455Mihăilă R.A look at platelet count in chronic hepatitis C infection.EMJ Hepatol. 2017;5(1):97-103.Almazni I, Stapley R, Morgan NV.Inherited thrombocytopenia: update on genes and genetic variants which may be associated with bleeding.Front Cardiovasc Med. 2019;6:80. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2019.00080Bury L, Malara A, Momi S, Petito E, Balduini A, Gresele P.Mechanisms of thrombocytopenia in platelet-type von Willebrand disease.Haematologica. 2019;104(7):1473-1481. doi:10.3324/haematol.2018.200378National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Evans syndrome. National Institutes of Health.Suttorp M, Classen CF.Splenomegaly in children and adolescents.Front Pediatr. 2021;9:704635. doi:10.3389/fped.2021.704635Izak M, Bussel J.Management of thrombocytopenia. F1000Prime Rep. 2014;6:45. doi:10.12703/P6-45Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.About Your Low Platelet Count.Additional ReadingMitta A, Curtis BR, Reese JA, George JN.Drug-induced thrombocytopenia: 2019 Update of clinical and laboratory data. Am J Hematol. 2019;94(3):E76-E78. doi:10.1002/ajh.25379Nagalla S, Sarode R.Recent advances in understanding and management of acquired thrombocytopenia. F1000Res. 2018;7:68. doi:10.12688/f1000research.12309.1
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Platelet disorders - thrombocytopenia.Moses S. Family Practice Notebook.Thrombocytopenia Causes.Johansson D, Rasmussen M, Inghammar M.Thrombocytopenia in bacteraemia and association with bacterial species.Epidemiol Infect. 2018;146(10):1312-1317. doi:10.1017/S0950268818001206George JN. Platelets on The Web.Database of Individual Patient Reports through 2018.Vayne C, Guéry EA, Rollin J, Baglo T, Petermann R, Gruel Y.Pathophysiology and diagnosis of drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia.J Clin Med. 2020;9(7):2212. doi:10.3390/jcm9072212Arnoldussen IAC, Witkamp RF.Effects of nutrients on platelet function: a modifiable link between metabolic syndrome and neurodegeneration?Biomolecules. 2021;11(10):1455. doi:10.3390/biom11101455Mihăilă R.A look at platelet count in chronic hepatitis C infection.EMJ Hepatol. 2017;5(1):97-103.Almazni I, Stapley R, Morgan NV.Inherited thrombocytopenia: update on genes and genetic variants which may be associated with bleeding.Front Cardiovasc Med. 2019;6:80. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2019.00080Bury L, Malara A, Momi S, Petito E, Balduini A, Gresele P.Mechanisms of thrombocytopenia in platelet-type von Willebrand disease.Haematologica. 2019;104(7):1473-1481. doi:10.3324/haematol.2018.200378National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Evans syndrome. National Institutes of Health.Suttorp M, Classen CF.Splenomegaly in children and adolescents.Front Pediatr. 2021;9:704635. doi:10.3389/fped.2021.704635Izak M, Bussel J.Management of thrombocytopenia. F1000Prime Rep. 2014;6:45. doi:10.12703/P6-45Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.About Your Low Platelet Count.Additional ReadingMitta A, Curtis BR, Reese JA, George JN.Drug-induced thrombocytopenia: 2019 Update of clinical and laboratory data. Am J Hematol. 2019;94(3):E76-E78. doi:10.1002/ajh.25379Nagalla S, Sarode R.Recent advances in understanding and management of acquired thrombocytopenia. F1000Res. 2018;7:68. doi:10.12688/f1000research.12309.1
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Platelet disorders - thrombocytopenia.Moses S. Family Practice Notebook.Thrombocytopenia Causes.Johansson D, Rasmussen M, Inghammar M.Thrombocytopenia in bacteraemia and association with bacterial species.Epidemiol Infect. 2018;146(10):1312-1317. doi:10.1017/S0950268818001206George JN. Platelets on The Web.Database of Individual Patient Reports through 2018.Vayne C, Guéry EA, Rollin J, Baglo T, Petermann R, Gruel Y.Pathophysiology and diagnosis of drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia.J Clin Med. 2020;9(7):2212. doi:10.3390/jcm9072212Arnoldussen IAC, Witkamp RF.Effects of nutrients on platelet function: a modifiable link between metabolic syndrome and neurodegeneration?Biomolecules. 2021;11(10):1455. doi:10.3390/biom11101455Mihăilă R.A look at platelet count in chronic hepatitis C infection.EMJ Hepatol. 2017;5(1):97-103.Almazni I, Stapley R, Morgan NV.Inherited thrombocytopenia: update on genes and genetic variants which may be associated with bleeding.Front Cardiovasc Med. 2019;6:80. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2019.00080Bury L, Malara A, Momi S, Petito E, Balduini A, Gresele P.Mechanisms of thrombocytopenia in platelet-type von Willebrand disease.Haematologica. 2019;104(7):1473-1481. doi:10.3324/haematol.2018.200378National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Evans syndrome. National Institutes of Health.Suttorp M, Classen CF.Splenomegaly in children and adolescents.Front Pediatr. 2021;9:704635. doi:10.3389/fped.2021.704635Izak M, Bussel J.Management of thrombocytopenia. F1000Prime Rep. 2014;6:45. doi:10.12703/P6-45Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.About Your Low Platelet Count.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Platelet disorders - thrombocytopenia.
Moses S. Family Practice Notebook.Thrombocytopenia Causes.
Johansson D, Rasmussen M, Inghammar M.Thrombocytopenia in bacteraemia and association with bacterial species.Epidemiol Infect. 2018;146(10):1312-1317. doi:10.1017/S0950268818001206
George JN. Platelets on The Web.Database of Individual Patient Reports through 2018.
Vayne C, Guéry EA, Rollin J, Baglo T, Petermann R, Gruel Y.Pathophysiology and diagnosis of drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia.J Clin Med. 2020;9(7):2212. doi:10.3390/jcm9072212
Arnoldussen IAC, Witkamp RF.Effects of nutrients on platelet function: a modifiable link between metabolic syndrome and neurodegeneration?Biomolecules. 2021;11(10):1455. doi:10.3390/biom11101455
Mihăilă R.A look at platelet count in chronic hepatitis C infection.EMJ Hepatol. 2017;5(1):97-103.
Almazni I, Stapley R, Morgan NV.Inherited thrombocytopenia: update on genes and genetic variants which may be associated with bleeding.Front Cardiovasc Med. 2019;6:80. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2019.00080
Bury L, Malara A, Momi S, Petito E, Balduini A, Gresele P.Mechanisms of thrombocytopenia in platelet-type von Willebrand disease.Haematologica. 2019;104(7):1473-1481. doi:10.3324/haematol.2018.200378
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Evans syndrome. National Institutes of Health.
Suttorp M, Classen CF.Splenomegaly in children and adolescents.Front Pediatr. 2021;9:704635. doi:10.3389/fped.2021.704635
Izak M, Bussel J.Management of thrombocytopenia. F1000Prime Rep. 2014;6:45. doi:10.12703/P6-45
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.About Your Low Platelet Count.
Mitta A, Curtis BR, Reese JA, George JN.Drug-induced thrombocytopenia: 2019 Update of clinical and laboratory data. Am J Hematol. 2019;94(3):E76-E78. doi:10.1002/ajh.25379Nagalla S, Sarode R.Recent advances in understanding and management of acquired thrombocytopenia. F1000Res. 2018;7:68. doi:10.12688/f1000research.12309.1
Mitta A, Curtis BR, Reese JA, George JN.Drug-induced thrombocytopenia: 2019 Update of clinical and laboratory data. Am J Hematol. 2019;94(3):E76-E78. doi:10.1002/ajh.25379
Nagalla S, Sarode R.Recent advances in understanding and management of acquired thrombocytopenia. F1000Res. 2018;7:68. doi:10.12688/f1000research.12309.1
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