What is the significance of a low platelet count?
Article Table of Contents. A low platelet count can, in turn, result in bleeding and/or the need to delay chemotherapy. Thrombocytopenia is usually defined as less than 150,000 platelets per cubic millimeter of blood on a complete blood count, although significant bleeding does not usually occur until the level drops below 20,000 or even 10,000.
What is the treatment for a low platelet count?
The treatment for a low platelet count depends on the cause and severity of your condition. If your condition is mild, your doctor may wish to hold off on treatment and simply monitor you. Your doctor may recommend that you take measures to prevent your condition from worsening.
Is the platelet function test useful for guiding therapy?
This rapid and comprehensive platelet function test involves adding platelet agonists manually and is prognostically useful in clopidogrel-treated patients undergoing PCI. However, evidence is lacking that shows it improves clinical outcomes when used for guiding therapy (1).
What is the relationship between myelodysplatic syndrome and low platelets?
Blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. In those with myelodysplatic syndrome (MDS) the bone marrow is damaged and blood cell production is impaired, including platelet production. The disease can also transform into acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Resources and research providing insight into MDS and low platelets include:
What physiological factors affect platelet count?
Factors that can decrease platelet production include:Leukemia and other cancers.Some types of anemia.Viral infections, such as hepatitis C or HIV.Chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy.Heavy alcohol consumption.
What are nursing interventions for low platelet count?
Nursing interventions. Nursing interventions include prevention, early identification, and management of thrombocytopenia and its complications. Take steps to minimize the patient's risk of injury, as by preventing falls, reducing the bleeding risk, and preventing infection.
What treatment is given for low platelet count?
Corticosteroids. Dexamethasone or prednisone is typically prescribed to raise your platelet count. You take it once a day in the form of a pill or tablet. An increased or normalized platelet count is generally seen within 2 weeks of therapy, particularly with high-dose dexamethasone.
How does stress affect platelet count?
Stressful life events and anxiety usually cause an increase in platelet volume and activity through various mechanisms. Mean platelet volume (MPV), which is indicative of platelet size, is accepted as an indication of platelet activity.
What is the priority nursing diagnosis for a client with inadequate production of platelets?
Based on the assessment data, the major nursing diagnoses for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura are: Risk for bleeding related to decreased platelet count. Risk for injury related to abnormal blood profile.
How can you raise your platelet count?
8 Things That Can Increase Your Blood Platelet CountEating more leafy greens. ... Eating more fatty fish. ... Increasing folate consumption. ... Avoiding alcohol. ... Eating more citrus. ... Consuming more iron-rich foods. ... Trying a chlorophyll supplement. ... Avoiding vitamin E and fish oil supplements.
What is the best treatment for ITP?
Since spontaneous remissions are uncommon in adults with ITP, the administration of glucocorticoids is the recommended treatment when necessary. Prednisone (1 mg/kg per day orally) or high-dose dexamethasone (HDD), 40 mg/day orally for 4 days, repeated every 14–28 days as needed, are the regimens most commonly used.
Does Covid affect platelet count?
In COVID-19 patients, platelet count differs between mild and serious infections. Patients with mild symptoms have a slightly increased platelet count, whereas thrombocytopenia is a hallmark of severe COVID-19 infections.
What medications increase platelet count?
Drugs that boost platelet production. Medications such as romiplostim (Nplate) and eltrombopag (Promacta) help your bone marrow produce more platelets. These types of drugs can increase your risk of blood clots.
Can stress and anxiety cause low platelets?
Acute psychological stress can similarly affect platelet function,42 particularly among those prone to anxiety. Platelets are activated by their interaction with various circulating agonists (including serotonin and catecholamines) via separate and specific receptors in the platelet membrane.
Can extreme stress cause low platelets?
Research suggests that physical or psychological stress and the resultant oxidative stress in the body may also trigger episodes of ITP,7 exacerbate fatigue15 and prolong duration of the platelet disorder in children.
Can severe stress cause low platelets?
The factor “acute mental stress” was associated with alterations in CD62P+ platelets (p < 0.001), CD63+ platelets (p = 0.011), PAC-1+ platelets (p < 0.001) as well as platelet leucocyte aggregates (p = 0.019).
What is low platelet count?
A low platelet count is a blood disorder that has a long list of possible causes . It is also known as thrombocytopenia. Reduced platelet content in the blood is not always a serious problem. However, the condition affects the ability of the blood to clot, and wounds can bleed severely with this condition. This can have serious complications in some ...
Why are platelets low?
The level of platelets is usually low as a result of two main factors. Either an underlying medical condition is causing the reduced level, or an individual is taking a medication or substance that serves to reduce platelet count.
What is ITP in medical terms?
ITP refers to idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. It is also known as immune thrombocytopenia. The name of the condition relates to bleeding-induced rashes that occur as a result of a low platelet count. Idiopathic means that the cause is not known. In ITP, the immune system attacks platelets.
What causes low platelets?
Platelets are the component in blood that enables it to clot. Medicines, poisonous substances, heavy alcohol drinking, and even drinks with quinine in them, such as tonic water, can cause low platelet counts. Quinine is also found in tablets for leg cramps. If a doctor finds one of these substances to be the cause of a low platelet count, ...
How long do platelets stay in the blood?
Platelets are not invisible to the naked eye. The bone marrow produces them, and they travel in the blood for an average of 10 days before being destroyed.
What are the causes of thrombocytopenia?
Poisons that can cause thrombocytopenia include pesticides, arsenic, and benzene. The following are antiplatelet or anti-clotting drugs that reduce the platelet count: glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, including abciximab, eptifibatide, and tirofiban. heparin.
When does platelet count fall?
Women normally experience a platelet count that varies slightly during the menstrual cycle and can fall near the end of pregnancy.
What happens if your platelet count is low?
If you have a low platelet count, you may experience: bleeding from wounds that lasts for a prolonged period or doesn’t stop on its own. In more serious cases, you may bleed internally. Symptoms of internal bleeding include: Talk to your doctor immediately if you experience any signs of internal bleeding.
What does low platelet count mean?
Other people may not experience any symptoms. Typically, a low platelet count is the result of a medical condition, such as leukemia, or certain medications. Treatment usually addresses the condition causing the thrombocytopenia.
Why is my platelet count low?
A low platelet count can also be a result of the body destroying too may platelets. This can be due to side effects of certain medications, include diuretics and anti-seizure medications. It can also be a symptom of: hypersplenism, or an enlarged spleen. an autoimmune disorder.
What are the symptoms of low platelet count?
If you have a low platelet count, you may experience: red, purple, or brown bruises, which are called purpura.
What tests are done to determine how long it takes for blood to clot?
Your doctor may also order blood-clotting tests, which includes partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time. These tests simply require a sample of your blood. Certain chemicals will be added to the sample to determine how long it takes your blood to clot.
What to do if your spleen is enlarged?
If your doctor suspects that your spleen is enlarged, they may order an ultrasound. This test will use sound waves to make a picture of your spleen. It can help your doctor determine if your spleen is the proper size.
Can you have your blood tested for platelet antibodies?
Your doctor may also wish to have your blood tested for platelet antibodies. These are proteins that destroy platelets. Platelet antibodies can be produced as a side effect to certain drugs, such as heparin, or for unknown reasons.
Why is my platelet count low?
As noted earlier, a low platelet count is sometimes due to more than one cause during cancer treatment. Looking at platelet counts over time (serial platelet measurements) can often be helpful in understanding whether chemotherapy alone is the culprit.
What is the purpose of a med to stimulate platelets?
Medications That Stimulate Platelet Formation. Medications are sometimes used to stimulate the bone marrow to make more platelets , though these are used infrequently in people who have thrombocytopenia due to chemotherapy, and there is currently little evidence to support their routine use. 2 .
What is the most common treatment for thrombocytopenia?
Platelet transfusions are the most common method of treating thrombocytopenia, especially short-term thrombocytopenia related to chemotherapy drugs. Transfusions can be used as a therapy (to increase platelets in those who are actively bleeding) or preventively (for those with a low or expected low platelet count but who are not bleeding).
How long does it take for thrombocytopenia to go down after chemo?
Thrombocytopenia related to chemotherapy is often a short term problem. Platelet levels begin to drop around one week after a chemotherapy session and reach the lowest level (the nadir) at around 14 days following an infusion. Platelets in the bloodstream live approximately eight to 10 days and are rapidly replenished.
What is thrombocytopenia treatment?
Treatment. Coping. Thrombocytopenia is defined as a decreased number of platelets in the blood. A low platelet count can, in turn, result in bleeding and/or the need to delay chemotherapy.
Why do people get thrombocytopenia?
Causes During Cancer Treatment. The most common cause of thrombocytopenia in people with cancer is bone marrow suppression related to chemotherapy. Chemotherapy destroys rapidly dividing cells, such as those in the bone marrow which become platelets. In addition to thrombocytopenia, bone marrow suppression from chemotherapy may result in ...
What is the term for the body's ability to make antibodies against platelets?
Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP): Immune thrombocytopenia occurs when your body makes antibodies against your own platelets. This is most common with cancers such as Hodgkin disease and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Why do platelets drop after surgery?
If the cause of low platelets is immune thrombocytopenia, the spleen cleans out needed platelets from the blood. Surgically removing the spleen may temporarily stop this from happening, but it may not be a permanent fix and the platelet counts may begin to drop again after surgery.
What foods help with low platelet count?
If you have a low platelet count, eating foods high in vitamin K may help. This includes leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage). Only do this under the advice of your doctor if you are already on blood thinning medications.
What is the blood vessel disease caused by low platelets?
Immune Thrombocytopenia - A bleeding disorder that is caused by low platelets. In this condition, the body creates antibodies against the platelets that destroy them. Vasculitis - This condition causes inflammation of the blood vessels.
What diseases destroy platelets?
There are a few different autoimmune conditions that destroy the platelets in the blood. This is the body’s own immune system fighting off the good cells as if they were foreign invaders. The common ones are: 1 Lupus - The body fights off the red blood cells and platelets making them ineffective at clotting the blood. 2 Immune Thrombocytopenia - A bleeding disorder that is caused by low platelets. In this condition, the body creates antibodies against the platelets that destroy them. 3 Vasculitis - This condition causes inflammation of the blood vessels. The blood vessels become inflamed, breaking open and bleeding faster than the body can produce enough platelets to stop the bleeding.
Does alcohol affect platelet count?
Alcoholic beverages are known to thin the blood, making it one of the known low platelet count causes . When taken in moderation, this effect can be positive on the body to help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. However, heavy drinking may increase the risk of bleeding in the brain.
Can a drug cause platelet production to decrease?
Certain medications can either lower platelet production or completely destroy them. Some drugs can stimulate your body to make antibodies against platelets. Other drugs lower the ability of your bone marrow to produce platelets. Some of the drugs that can cause this include:
Can meds cause blood to be thin?
Medications can also cause your blood to be too “thin” and you can bleed excessively. Sometimes there are no symptoms other than bleeding that will not stop. This can be serious. This article will address some of the common causes and how it is treated.
Why is platelet function important?
In keeping with the rising incidence of atherothrombotic disease, reliable platelet function testing has become more important. In acute coronary syndromes (ACS), platelets often play a starring role in the pathogenesis of disease and are a critical target for pharmacotherapy (1,2). In particular, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with coronary artery stents—a widely used intervention to manage ischemic heart disease—requires dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and platelet P2Y 12 inhibitors to prevent stent thrombosis (3).
What is the best method to evaluate P2Y 12 inhibitors?
The VerifyNow P2Y 12 assay is the simplest and most reliable method of evaluating response to P2Y 12 inhibitors as well as sensitivity to aspirin. However, evidence is lacking that demonstrates this assay supports improved clinical outcomes when it is used for therapy guidance (1).
Why is light transmittance aggregometry not used?
However, it is no longer used in daily clinical practice for monitoring antiplatelet therapy due to lack of standardization, problems with spurious platelet activation secondary to centrifugation, and the high complexity of the test precluding its use as a point-of-care system (1,3) .
What is the VASP test?
The vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) assay is a flow cytometric test that indirectly measures P2Y 12 receptor inhibition. The assay uses intracellular fluorescently labeled antibodies against phosphorylated vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein. VASP is an intracellular actin regulatory protein that is normally unphosphorylated in resting conditions, and its phosphorylation is regulated by the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) cascade. Stimulation of the P2Y 12 receptor by ADP leads to inhibition of adenylate cyclase and reduction in cAMP levels via prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) activation. Persistence of PGE1-stimulated VASP phosphorylation in the presence of ADP correlates with P2Y 12 receptor inhibition (1).
What are the agonists in platelet aggregation?
As platelet aggregation occurs in response to the addition of the agonist, the sample becomes more translucent and light transmittance increases. Common agonists include ADP, epinephrine, collagen, thrombin receptor-activating peptide, arachidonic acid, and ristocetin.
Is there a randomized study on antiplatelet therapy?
Furthermore, randomized studies on individualized antiplatelet therapy based on platelet function testing have many limitations, including enrollment of only low- to intermediate-risk cohorts and limited use of potent antiplatelet agents.
Does aspirin help with platelet function?
While the effects of aspirin are typically reliable and the need to monitor its response less significant, platelet function testing may help assess adherence to therapy. Conversely, patients’ variable responses to clopidogrel is one of this therapy’s limitations. HPR while on this drug is associated with major adverse cardiovascular events.
Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)
Blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. In those with myelodysplatic syndrome (MDS) the bone marrow is damaged and blood cell production is impaired, including platelet production. The disease can also transform into acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a cancer of B-lymphocytes, which normally make antibodies needed to fight infection. Advanced CLL causes many signs and symptoms resulting from leukemia cells replacing the bone marrow’s normal blood-making cells, including thrombocytopenia or low blood platelets.
Large Granular Lymphocytic Leukemia (LGL)
This disease is a rare form of chronic leukemia characterized by abnormal CD8+ T cells, a type of white blood cells called “lymphocytes.”
What causes low platelets?
Together with your hematologist, determine if your low platelet count may be caused by a new drug you have taken, an infection, an exposure to toxins, or something you ate.
Why is my platelet count low?
Together with your hematologist, determine if your low platelet count may be caused by a new drug you have taken, an infection, an exposure to toxins, or something you ate. Familiarize yourself with drugs and other substances known to lower platelet counts.
How to help with ITP?
A healthy diet and lifestyle is undeniable for anyone, but can be especially helpful for those with ITP. While there’s no single diet or regimen that will relieve the symptoms of ITP, you can support your immune system by making your lifestyle a healthier one. Maintain a healthy digestive system to help reduce inflammation associated ...
Can ITP be prevented?
font size. Print. No one knows what causes the immune system to mount an attack on platelets and, unfortunately, it is not known how to prevent the onset of ITP. There are, however, several signs and symptoms that may indicate ITP and, when directly defined, may assist in early detection.