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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Low Platelet Count While On Steroids?

I have Hashimotos's Thyroiditis and my platelet count has dropped to 11,000. I take no other medications except synthroid and lisinopril for HBP. My doctor can find no reason for my platelet drop.

He say it is idiopathic. I have been on a high dose of steriods which brought them up to normal for a short time, but they dropped again. Now I'm back on the steriods for a while. My last TSH was 46, and I cannot help but think something is going on between the two of these conditions. My TSH has never been this high and I have had Hashimotos since I was 12 and I'm 40 now. Please Help! This has only been going on for 2 months and I do not want to and am not ready to give up my spleen yet.
Thu, 6 Nov 2014
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Geriatrics Specialist,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows.
1. Possible idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
2. Continue on steroid treatment and slowly taper it.
3. Possible virus infection previously mimicking the same antigen on platelets resulting in antibody damaging the platelets. It seems to be acute ITP. Not to worry, continue steroids. While reducing, slowly tapering is important. If excessive, spleen removal might be necessary to reducing further platelet damage.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
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What Causes Low Platelet Count While On Steroids?

Hi, Thanks for asking. Based on your query, my opinion is as follows. 1. Possible idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. 2. Continue on steroid treatment and slowly taper it. 3. Possible virus infection previously mimicking the same antigen on platelets resulting in antibody damaging the platelets. It seems to be acute ITP. Not to worry, continue steroids. While reducing, slowly tapering is important. If excessive, spleen removal might be necessary to reducing further platelet damage. Hope it helps. Any further queries, happy to help again.