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Suggest Treatment For Hepatitis-A, Low Platelet Count And Immune Thrombocytopenia
Question: Dear Doctor, I was suffering from Hepatitis A and was admitted in hospital one month ago. Got discharged on 3rd week of July. While discharing, though the LFT was not completely normal, doctor suggested I needn't worry and just ensure that I don't eat too much oily food. What unusual they've noticed during my treatment is that my platelet count was very low which went upto 19K, and there was no dengue malaria etc. They suspected thrombocytopenia and suggested bone marrow test which I agreed will do later. While discharing my platelet count had gone upto 1.25L. Just did an LFT and Platelet count test couple of days back and attached is the result. Platelet has again gone down to 42K. I'm not having any illness other than a pricking sensation on the body yesterday. Please note, my Mom and maternal uncle also have problems of low platelet count and they are perfectly all right even at 20K. Do I need to worry or what should be my next course of action? Thank in advance for your help.
Brief Answer:
No need to worry, follow up recommended
Detailed Answer:
Dear sir,
I did review your concern.
I believe what you are experiencing is immune thrombocytopenia which gets precipitated by viral infections like viral hepatitis you had and sometimes due to unknown reasons. Also it may have hereditary affects as seen in your family.
Platelets are important for body hemostasis when a vessel bleeds but it is seen that humans can do away with platelets as low as 10K.
However, I would recommend the following for you-
1) Serial followup of platelet counts to see if they remain low and if they do remain low then atleast one bone marrow study to see the morphology and number of megakaryocytes (platelet precursors in bone marrow).
2)To report to doctor if you experience bleeding from any sites or while shaving or in urine or any other orifice.
3) If there is chronic immune thrombocytpenia then you can be started on low dose steroids to increase the platelet count and further treatment can be then decided from there on.
SO all in all, nothing much to worry now but I would recommend above mentioned advice to be followed as a matter of precaution.
I hope this helps
Wish you all the best.
Let me know if you have any more questions or concerns.
sincerely,
Dr Parth Desai.
No need to worry, follow up recommended
Detailed Answer:
Dear sir,
I did review your concern.
I believe what you are experiencing is immune thrombocytopenia which gets precipitated by viral infections like viral hepatitis you had and sometimes due to unknown reasons. Also it may have hereditary affects as seen in your family.
Platelets are important for body hemostasis when a vessel bleeds but it is seen that humans can do away with platelets as low as 10K.
However, I would recommend the following for you-
1) Serial followup of platelet counts to see if they remain low and if they do remain low then atleast one bone marrow study to see the morphology and number of megakaryocytes (platelet precursors in bone marrow).
2)To report to doctor if you experience bleeding from any sites or while shaving or in urine or any other orifice.
3) If there is chronic immune thrombocytpenia then you can be started on low dose steroids to increase the platelet count and further treatment can be then decided from there on.
SO all in all, nothing much to worry now but I would recommend above mentioned advice to be followed as a matter of precaution.
I hope this helps
Wish you all the best.
Let me know if you have any more questions or concerns.
sincerely,
Dr Parth Desai.
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. Sonia Raina
Answered by
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