what does low platelet count mean

I ahve this too, anyone have any answers, there testing me for ITP and sednign me to a specialist?

a low platelet count means your platelet count is below 145,000. normal counts should be 145,000 up to 450,000. having a low count can cause easy bruising, nose bleeds for no apparent reason, bleeding from your gums when bushing your teeth, and it will take longer for accidental cuts to clot and scab over. a count below 45,000 and you will need to be on medications. usually prednisone. a count down around 20,000 and you become susceptible to spontaneous bleeding. you typically need to have your platelet count above 70,000 for surgery. a blood transfusion may be necessary before surgery to get your count up. platelet counts may be low due to an enlarged spleen, lupus, leukemia, lymphomas, bone marrow production issues, or an auto-immune disease called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (itp). i have itp and a large percentage of my platelets are gigantic. i have had an ultrasound on my spleen, numerous blood test, and a bone marrow biopsy.:eek: all my test came back negative so the doctor diagnosed me with itp which means my immune system is attacking my platelets for unknown reasons.

my mom had low platelets and she was dx'd with myleodysplasia. It was difficult for her to treat because she was in her late 70's early 80's when she had it. Because of her age she couldn't do the bone marrow transplant so she went in for the infusions.

a low platelet count means your platelet count is below 145,000. normal counts should be 145,000 up to 450,000. having a low count can cause easy bruising, nose bleeds for no apparent reason, bleeding from your gums when bushing your teeth, and it will take longer for accidental cuts to clot and scab over. a count below 45,000 and you will need to be on medications. usually prednisone. a count down around 20,000 and you become susceptible to spontaneous bleeding. you typically need to have your platelet count above 70,000 for surgery. a blood transfusion may be necessary before surgery to get your count up. platelet counts may be low due to an enlarged spleen, lupus, leukemia, lymphomas, bone marrow production issues, or an auto-immune disease called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (itp). i have itp and a large percentage of my platelets are gigantic. i have had an ultrasound on my spleen, numerous blood test, and a bone marrow biopsy.:eek: all my test came back negative so the doctor diagnosed me with itp which means my immune system is attacking my platelets for unknown reasons.


are you on medication now? I just had a bone marrow biopsy and am awaiting the results...when they did it my platelet count was 26 but no mention of taking any medication. When you have ITP do you watch yourself and if you start bruising go to the hemo for some medication? Since the medication for ItP is some sort of a steroid I doubt that any doctor would let you take it for a very long time...

are you on medication now? I just had a bone marrow biopsy and am awaiting the results...when they did it my platelet count was 26 but no mention of taking any medication. When you have ITP do you watch yourself and if you start bruising go to the hemo for some medication? Since the medication for ItP is some sort of a steroid I doubt that any doctor would let you take it for a very long time...

i'm not on any meds for itp. my last blood test gave me a count of 130. with a platelet count of 26 the doctor may put you on prednisone. my biggest fear wasn't the low count but the size of my platelets. i9 had too many giant platelets. a bone marrow biopsy determined my bone morrow was functioning properly. the hemo determined i was releasing immature platelets, which are big, to to boost my platelet count. i'm on embrel for Psa and have a feeling it caused drug induced Lupus which can lower platelet counts. none of the blood test i had showed any lupus antibodies but these test aren't 100% accurate.