A lowering of the level of platelets in the blood is referred to in medical jargon as thrombocytopenia or thrombocytopenia. This condition occurs when the levels drop beyond the expected minimum, that is, below 150 thousand platelets per cubic millimeter. On Sanitari Shop articles you can buy blood glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride meters to monitor the parameters. What are platelets
Platelets – also known as thrombocytes – are meant to stop any blood loss. In other words, they are elements directly connected with blood clotting. Thus they avoid dangerous bleeding resulting from wounds or other types of trauma. During an injury, platelets begin to clump together, blocking large blood losses. This does not happen efficiently in the case of thrombocytopenia.
- Read more: the composition of blood
Blood is mostly composed of a corpuscular part – therefore solid – and of a liquid called Plasma which is found in a relatively high quantity: about 55%. The solid part of the blood consists mostly of red blood cells (about 44%) and white blood cells and platelets (about 1%).
Normal Platelet
Values ​​Normal values ​​range from 150,000 to 400,000 platelets per cubic millimeter of blood. Platelets can be considered low if they are below 150,000.
- Remember:
If the platelets are very low it is not recommended to make excessive efforts or too much sport, to drink alcohol, while it is good to reduce the consumption of oral anticoagulants or blood thinners (including aspirin).
Low platelets: the causes
There are several reasons why platelets happen to be below normal. The most common are:
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Aplastic anemia
- Transfusions
- Viral infections
- Pregnancy (gestational thrombocytopenia)
- Measles mumps rubella vaccine
- Leukopenia (reduced white blood cells)
- Leukocytosis (increase in white blood cells or leukocytes)
- Abundant menstrual flow
- Conspicuous blood loss
- Lymphomas
- Purple
- Malaria
- Leptospirosis
- Leukemia
- Multiple myeloma
- Cirrhosis
- Alcoholism
Drugs that can cause platelets to fall
Platelets can be lower than normal even after taking certain types of drugs:
- Antibiotics
- NSAID (or anti-inflammatory) drugs
- Hypoglycemic drugs
- Drugs for tuberculosis
- Sulfamidici
- Diuretics
- Barbiturates
Low Platelets: A Minor or Serious Problem
Many people suffer from thrombocytopenia. To determine whether the problem is minor or not is the amount found in the blood that can be divided as follows:
- Between 100,000 and 150,000: mild problem
- Between 50,000 and 100,000: moderate problem
- Between 10,000 and 50,000 fairly serious problem
- Below 10,000: a transfusion required
Low platelets: symptoms
The first and most important symptom resulting from a decrease in blood platelets is the predisposition to blood loss, even after a minor injury. Then there are other symptoms directly connected with thrombocytopenia:
- Formations of hematomas following light pressure
- Blood in the stool
- Epistaxis (nosebleeds)
- Blood in the urine
- Asthenia
- Bleeding gums
- Abundant menstruation
Low platelets and pregnancy
If platelets in pregnancy are very low, the problem should not be underestimated as there may be problems during childbirth. Everything must be carefully discussed with your gynecologist. Low platelets: therapy
If the phenomenon is not relevant, the doctor may prescribe the patient a diet rich in vitamin C, cereals, legumes, meat, spinach and other foods rich in iron. In slightly more severe cases, the intake of platelet concentrates (obtained from fresh whole blood) may be required. If the values ​​fall below 10,000, an urgent transfusion operation is required.
