If your doctor has told you that you have Thrombocytopenia it means your platelet count is below less than 150,000 platelets per micro liter of blood. So now you are asking yourself what causes low platelets and is this a serious problem?
This can be a problem because with low platelets you increase the risk of bleeding, especially from the nose and gum line and you bruise more easily. And if platelets are below 150K than they could drop lower causing internal bleeding. The good thing is platelets need to get pretty low (10K) for that to happen.
What causes low platelets? There are many causes and it is important to identify. To do this your doctor will have to run a series of test, working to eliminate as many possibilities as he can. First he will consider the conditions that cause the bone marrow to stop producing enough platelets.
Certain types of cancers of the lymph system or leukemia can be the culprits. But in most cases test are negative. A viral infection can interfere with blood counts and if discovered a treatment of antibiotics will be in order.
Low platelets can be caused by some medications, vitamin deficiencies and even excessive alcohol consumption. These also can interfere with the bone marrow production. In rare cases it could be a genetic condition.
In many cases the bone marrow is producing enough platelets but they are being removed too fast from the blood. Again viruses and drugs could be causing this. Another possibility, and this is being seen more and more is an autoimmune disease where platelets are being targeted and destroyed. ITP (Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura) is where the immune system actually produces antibodies against its own platelets, destroying them.
There is a very rare case caused by pregnancy or an overwhelming infection where the clotting mechanism is activated for no reason (DIC). Small clots form through out the body using up the platelets causing the counts to drop. With this a person is usually very ill.
Sometimes a lab error can cause a false reading on your blood counts. Repeating the test will expose this. A second opinion is always recommended before treatment is wasted on something that doesn t exist.
The bottom line is that much can be done to increase platelets before they get so low as to be life threatening. You will need to be involved in your diagnosis and treatments. Another words be personally responsible for your health. Make needed changes in your life style if necessary just don t expect the doctor to do it all with pills.
There are many ways to increase platelets naturally without harsh drugs that can damage the body with serious side effects. Many have discovered ways to increase platelets that their doctors did not even consider. Be sure your doctor is willing to cooperate with you in this regard.I suggest a nutritional orientated doctor or a naturopathic doctor. Good health to you.
Author Resource:-
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