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When Is A Low Blood Platelet Count A Cause For Concern?

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Posted on Tue, 6 Oct 2015
Question: What is the lowest blood platelet number that is dangerous? Is there any medication for this problem

YYYY@YYYY
doctor
Answered by Dr. Abhijit Sonawane (35 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Lowest platelet depends upon bleeding tendancy. platelet transfusion

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
Now the platelets are as you said are 93k from 290k in 3 years.
Usually the lowest platelet after which the patient needs blood transfusion depends on clinical symptoms.
There are 2 low levels-
1. Patient has bleeding tendancy either from gums or presence of petechial hemorrhage over skin or mucus membrane then the lowest level is 30000. If it goes below that patient needs immediate transfusion.
2. Patient has no bleeding tendancy then allowed lower limit is 10000 after which transfusion is required.
So 93k is still ok for her. But she will need regular and frequent follow ups with the doctor with platelet report because if she drops further down she might need platelet transfusion.
Meanwhile as you are already consulting a hematologist he should be running few other tests to find out the reason of slow gradual platelet count reduction.
There are medications to boost platelet production but they will be only prescribed by hematologist as they are special category drugs which provoke the bone marrow to produce more platelets.
I hope i have answered your query well.
If you have any more query kindly write back to me will be happy to answer them.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Abhijit Sonawane (4 hours later)
Thank you for your answer about the blood plateles.
My doctor mentioned a bone marrow test. Is that necessary?

Should I be on a special diet?

Can I drink alcohol ?

Any special food I should be eating, like more meat?

Why isn't he prescribing medication?

Thanks for your answers!

I failed to mention that I had my left lung removed in 1984 because of histo.
Now there is a cure for that. I also have asthma.

Any over the counter drugs I should be taking?

I really appreciate your help!

XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Abhijit Sonawane (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes yest is necessary. no diet restrictions

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for following up and sorry for the delay in reply.
As i mentioned in early reply there are medications that will boost bone marrow for production of platelets. So to see whether something is wrong with bone marrow production, bone marrow test is necessary.
There are 2 reasons for reduction in platelet count. One is decrease in production and 2nd is increase in breakdown of platelets. So bone marrow test will help in distinguishing the exact reason so as to treat the exact cause.
As per diet you should avoid alcohol as it is known to cause reduction in platelets. Other than that eating meat and fish will also help boosting platelet count.
He is not prescribing you medications because there is no need of it right now. But corticosteroids are known to boost platelet count by causing more production. But it depends on your doctor whether to prescribe or not.
For asthma i hope you must be taking some medications and you must be having drugs like salbutamol and some inhalational steroids.
I hope i have answered your query well if you have any more query kindly write back to me.
Thank you
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Abhijit Sonawane

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 603 Questions

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When Is A Low Blood Platelet Count A Cause For Concern?

Brief Answer: Lowest platelet depends upon bleeding tendancy. platelet transfusion Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for posting in HCM. Now the platelets are as you said are 93k from 290k in 3 years. Usually the lowest platelet after which the patient needs blood transfusion depends on clinical symptoms. There are 2 low levels- 1. Patient has bleeding tendancy either from gums or presence of petechial hemorrhage over skin or mucus membrane then the lowest level is 30000. If it goes below that patient needs immediate transfusion. 2. Patient has no bleeding tendancy then allowed lower limit is 10000 after which transfusion is required. So 93k is still ok for her. But she will need regular and frequent follow ups with the doctor with platelet report because if she drops further down she might need platelet transfusion. Meanwhile as you are already consulting a hematologist he should be running few other tests to find out the reason of slow gradual platelet count reduction. There are medications to boost platelet production but they will be only prescribed by hematologist as they are special category drugs which provoke the bone marrow to produce more platelets. I hope i have answered your query well. If you have any more query kindly write back to me will be happy to answer them. Thank you