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What To Do If I Have A Low Platelet Count

Max. D Gray
By Max. D Gray. Updated: January 24, 2017
What To Do If I Have A Low Platelet Count

If a blood test indicates that your thrombocyte or platelet count is very low, it can be worrying because it means that something is not quite right in your body. A normal platelet count ranges from between 150,000 to 450,000.

Platelets play an important role in the blood coagulation process, so a platelet count that is below the normal range will prevent your blood from coagulating normally and may lead to excessive bleeding. On the other hand, a very high platelet count may cause blood clots.

If your platelet count falls outside the normal range it is important to consult a physician and find out the reason for the change. At oneHOWTO we'll give you some tips so that you'll know what to do if you have a low platelet count.

You may also be interested in: What are the Symptoms of Low Platelets
Steps to follow:
1

A low platelet count can be caused by a serious infection or disease, such as dengue fever, diseases of the spleen, hemolytic anemia or a vitamin K deficiency. It can also be due to other more serious diseases, such as leukemia or brought on by chemotherapy treatment.

If you have a low platelet count, it is important to monitor the situation and try to get your platelet count back within the normal range as soon as possible. If you still haven't had a blood test, check what are the symptoms of low platelets.

2

Don't let the situation deteriorate. Although there are certain suggestions and home remedies you can follow, you must seek advice from a doctor. If the low platelet count is less than 10,000, which is possible in cases of dengue or severe infections, you could suffer from hemorrhaging and your symptoms could worsen significantly.

3

If a blood test shows that your platelet count is below the normal range, the first thing you must do is to see a specialist in order to pinpoint the cause of your low platelet count. In our articles on why do platelets drop and why do platelets increase you will discover the different conditions that commonly cause this situation. However, only a doctor can make an official and accurate diagnosis.

4

Once you have an official diagnosis, it is important to improve your diet and consume foods that provide a high amount of vitamins and minerals to assist in the formation of new platelets. Find out what foods raise platelet levels and add them to your diet.

5

However, you should never treat yourself or self-medicate without knowing the reason for the low platelet count. In cases of dengue fever, for example, incorrect use of medication can make the symptoms significantly worse. The same can also occur with other infections, so always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

6

In addition to a nutrient-rich diet and seeing a specialist, there are other suggestions that can help you to increase your platelet count and improve your overall health and well-being. We recommend you read our article on how to raise platelet levels.

7

Platelets, or thrombocytes, play a fundamental role in our health and any alteration in the number of platelets in the blood is a sign that something isn't working properly in the body. To know more on this subject, you can read our article on what are platelets and what do they do.

8

If you have a low platelet count, it is important that you avoid blood thinning substances, such as alcohol and certain pain medications and Non Steroidal Antinflammatory Drugs such as Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Naproxen and COX Inhibitors. If you must take a pain killer, stick to the lowest recommended dose.

This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to What To Do If I Have A Low Platelet Count, we recommend you visit our Diseases & secondary effects category.

Tips
  • Remember it's important to visit a doctor if your platelets are below the normal range.

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pravin joshi
PLATELETS COUNT L 85700 /cmm 150000 - 450000
What To Do If I Have A Low Platelet Count
What To Do If I Have A Low Platelet Count

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