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Suggest Ways To Increase Blood Platelet Count

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Posted on Wed, 12 Apr 2017
Question: how do i raeised my blood platelets and what is normal range,
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (39 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

A normal platelet count ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood.

Now about how to raise the platelet count, that depends largely on the cause of the low platelet levels, how severely they are depressed, and for how long.

The first thing, if the platelets are quite low, is to evaluate what the cause of it is and treat that. In some situations, platelets are only temporarily decreased, and not severely, after any significant physical stress or illness. In this situation, you only need to wait and recheck again.

If you are taking a medication that decreases platelets, such as Heparin (a blood thinner), that should be looked into too.

Things you can do yourself are to decrease or eliminate drinking alcohol, as that can decrease platelet production.



For example, if you have heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, your doctor will direct you to stop using heparin and prescribe a different blood-thinning drug. Your thrombocytopenia may persist for a week or more despite stopping all heparin therapy.

If your low platelets are from an immune related problem, oral corticosteroids can boost the platelet count.

If your platelets are dangerously low, then a transfusion of platelets is given.

So - I recommend following up with the doctor who ordered your blood test which showed low platelets, and discuss a follow up plan, depending on any suspected causes, and how low and for how long, your platelets have been decreased.

I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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Suggest Ways To Increase Blood Platelet Count

Brief Answer: Information Detailed Answer: Hello, A normal platelet count ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. Now about how to raise the platelet count, that depends largely on the cause of the low platelet levels, how severely they are depressed, and for how long. The first thing, if the platelets are quite low, is to evaluate what the cause of it is and treat that. In some situations, platelets are only temporarily decreased, and not severely, after any significant physical stress or illness. In this situation, you only need to wait and recheck again. If you are taking a medication that decreases platelets, such as Heparin (a blood thinner), that should be looked into too. Things you can do yourself are to decrease or eliminate drinking alcohol, as that can decrease platelet production. For example, if you have heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, your doctor will direct you to stop using heparin and prescribe a different blood-thinning drug. Your thrombocytopenia may persist for a week or more despite stopping all heparin therapy. If your low platelets are from an immune related problem, oral corticosteroids can boost the platelet count. If your platelets are dangerously low, then a transfusion of platelets is given. So - I recommend following up with the doctor who ordered your blood test which showed low platelets, and discuss a follow up plan, depending on any suspected causes, and how low and for how long, your platelets have been decreased. I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.