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Is It Normal For Platelet Counts To Fluctuate?

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Posted on Mon, 9 Dec 2013
Question: Is it normal for platelet counts to fluctuate? My counts on Thr were 284. Yesterday they were 235. 3 weeks ago they were 318. Is that normal?
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Answered by Dr. Namala Bharadwaj (53 minutes later)
Brief Answer: It can be due to lab method used. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for your query. I understand your concern. Yes it can fluctuate. Most of the times this fluctuation can be due to laboratory method used in estimation might be the cause. If it is complete blood picture with under microscope reporting there are high chances of fluctuation. Other reasons could be due to infection, inflammation, hematological causes. Your platelet counts seem to be in normal range in all above three reports. I have seen picture which you have attached to this query there is slight bruise. History of repeated bruising associated fatigue should be evaluated properly . PT , ApTT , INR, clotting time , bleeding time are initial basic investigation that would be helpful in identifying the cause . We could discuss further based on your lab reports. Hope I answered your query. Any further information you can ask me in follow up query. Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Follow up: Dr. Namala Bharadwaj (1 hour later)
So a drop from 318 to 235 in 3 weeks time can be normal? I was in the ER when they were last checked and reported at 235. I had a migraine, sinus infection, and stomach virus. Could that cause the drop?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Namala Bharadwaj (18 hours later)
Brief Answer: It can be normal, infection can decrease counts. Detailed Answer: Hello dear. Yes, this can happen in infection, it is a normal phenomenon unless you have any bleeding symptoms. Some viral infections can cause thrombocytopenia i.e low platelet count . But in your case platelet counts are not such low levels to cause alarming symptoms. Hope I answered your query. Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Namala Bharadwaj

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 516 Questions

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Is It Normal For Platelet Counts To Fluctuate?

Brief Answer: It can be due to lab method used. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for your query. I understand your concern. Yes it can fluctuate. Most of the times this fluctuation can be due to laboratory method used in estimation might be the cause. If it is complete blood picture with under microscope reporting there are high chances of fluctuation. Other reasons could be due to infection, inflammation, hematological causes. Your platelet counts seem to be in normal range in all above three reports. I have seen picture which you have attached to this query there is slight bruise. History of repeated bruising associated fatigue should be evaluated properly . PT , ApTT , INR, clotting time , bleeding time are initial basic investigation that would be helpful in identifying the cause . We could discuss further based on your lab reports. Hope I answered your query. Any further information you can ask me in follow up query. Regards.