Platelets Indicators

A low platelet count is medically known as thrombocytopenia. This condition often arises due to number of causes such as leukaemia, iron and vitamin B 12 deficiencies, chicken pox, dengue, Aplastic anaemia ( a condition in which platelet production decreases due to bone marrow infection) among other reasons.

Low platelet condition can range from mild to severe, and often its initial symptoms go unnoticed and mistaken as some general health problem. Thrombocytopenia can be detrimental to your well being if it is not taken into consideration at the right time.
To help you identify low platelet indicators it is essential to know them first. Given below are signs of thrombocytopenia, take a look.

. Petechiae, a dot-like rash which can be red or purple and may appear across your body. Such rashes are flat and not painful. They appear generally on lower legs and arms.

. Purpura, a condition in which red, brown or purple bruise appears on any part of the body. These bruises are generally bigger than 3 millimetres in diameter and may appear like a cluster of Petechiae.

. Nosebleeding: This symptom of low platelet count is mistaken as one’s vulnerability to heat and summers.

. Bleeding gums: This is mistaken as poor dental health.

. Bleeding from wounds: If it happens, it may not stop on its own and the wound may continue to ooze blood for a prolonged period of time.

. Blood in stools or bleeding from the rectum: This is a serious condition and requires immediate medical attention.

. Heavy menstrual bleeding: It is a usual condition among women suffering from PCOD, Diabetes, Obesity, Cancer and reproductive issues. Thus, women often tend to relate heavy menstrual bleeding or irregular periods to low platelet count.

. Blood in urine: If you see blood in your urine, immediately report it to your doctor and get yourself checked for every possible cause.

Severe symptoms of Low Platelet Count or Thrombocytopenia

. In case of severe thrombocytopenia, for example, less than 20 platelets per micro litre blood, chances are that the patient may experience increased bruising across the body and even small cuts and injuries may bleed profusely. Instantaneous medical attention is advised in such a case.

. If your total platelet count falls to less than 20,000, your condition will keep on deteriorating until the platelet numbers do not indicate an increase. Such situation will result in spontaneous bleeding and may occur under the skin or the mucus membrane.

　　　　A routine blood test can detect low platelet count thus one who experiences any of the symptom mentioned above can go for it. If detected, it is addressed by the physician who may suggest further blood testing. The treatment and follow-up care of thrombocytopenia is based on its severity, cause and medical diagnosis.