- Leukemia and other cancers.
- Some types of anemia.
- Viral infections, such as hepatitis C or HIV.
- Chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy.
- Heavy alcohol consumption.
Symptoms
Some viral infections that can increase the risk of thrombocytopenia include:
- Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV); human herpes virus 6 and 7
- Hepatitis C
- HIV
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- Parvovirus
- Rubella
- Mumps
- Chickenpox (varicella)
Causes
Thrombocytopenia is a shortage of platelets (thrombocytes) in the blood, which increases the risk of bleeding. Thrombocytopenia occurs when the bone marrow produces too little platelets, when too many platelets are destroyed, or when they accumulate in an enlarged spleen.
Prevention
When thrombosis is identified the condition is called heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis ( HITT ). HIT is caused by the formation of abnormal antibodies that activate platelets. If someone receiving heparin develops new or worsening thrombosis, or if the platelet count falls, HIT can be confirmed with specific blood tests.
Complications
Natural Ways to Increase Platelets
- Foods to Eat. Papaya and papaya leaves are a well-known natural remedy for thrombocytopenia in some parts of the world, and several studies are evaluating this claim.
- Foods to Avoid. ...
- Supplements. ...
- Supplements to Avoid. ...
What medical conditions can cause thrombocytopenia?
What is thrombocytopenia and what causes it?
Why does heparin induced thrombocytopenia cause thrombosis?
How to naturally increase your platelet count?
What are 3 causes of thrombocytopenia?
What causes thrombocytopenia?Alcohol use disorder and alcoholism.Autoimmune disease which causes ITP. ... Bone marrow diseases, including aplastic anemia, leukemia, certain lymphomas and myelodysplastic syndromes.Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy.More items...•
What is the most common cause of low platelet count?
One of the most common causes of low platelets is a condition called immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). You may hear it called by its old name, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
What infections cause low platelets?
Infections with protozoa, bacteria and viruses can cause thrombocytopenia with or without disseminated intravascular coagulation. Commonly dengue, malaria, scrub typhus and other rickettsial infections, meningococci, leptospira and certain viral infections present as fever with thrombocytopenia.
Is thrombocytopenia a serious condition?
Without proper treatment, thrombocytopenia can cause serious bleeding. This can happen both inside your body and out of your skin. It can be life-threatening. Learn how you can manage thrombocytopenia to help prevent complications.
Can thrombocytopenia be cured?
People with mild thrombocytopenia might not need treatment. For people who do need treatment for thrombocytopenia, treatment depends on its cause and how severe it is. If your thrombocytopenia is caused by an underlying condition or a medication, addressing that cause might cure it.
What cancers cause low platelets?
Certain cancers such as leukemia or lymphoma can lower your platelet count. The abnormal cells in these cancers can crowd out healthy cells in the bone marrow, where platelets are made. Less common causes of a low platelet count include: Cancer that spreads to the bone.
What deficiency causes low platelets?
Vitamin B-12 helps keep your blood cells healthy. A deficiency of B-12 has been associated with low platelet counts. The best sources of vitamin B-12 tend to be animal-based foods, such as: beef liver.
Which fruits increase platelets?
Berries such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, goji berries and blackberries are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants tend to neutralize the free radicals and thus help cope with the decrease in platelet count. Including berries in the diet may help in increasing platelet count.
How can I increase my platelets fast?
How to Increase Platelet Count:Milk. We all know that milk is a rich source of calcium and protein and is important in maintaining the strength of bones and muscles in our body. ... Green Leafy Vegetables: ... Papaya Leaf Extract: ... Pomegranate: ... Pumpkin: ... Wheatgrass: ... Vitamin B-12. ... Iron.More items...
What are the signs of low platelets?
What are the symptoms of a low platelet count?red, purple, or brown bruises, called purpura.a rash with small red or purple dots, called petechiae.nosebleeds.bleeding gums.bleeding from wounds that lasts for a prolonged period or doesn't stop on its own.heavy menstrual bleeding.
Can lack of sleep lower platelets?
Drs. Everson and Toth, together with Anne Folley present exciting results indicating that sleep deprivation in rats arrests new bone formation, decreases fat within the red marrow and increases platelet levels.
Which medicine is best to increase platelets?
Romiplostim injection is used to increase the number of platelets (cells that help the blood to clot) in order to decrease the risk of bleeding in adults who have immune thrombocytopenia (ITP; idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura; an ongoing condition that may cause easy bruising or bleeding due to an abnormally low ...
What deficiency causes low platelets?
Vitamin B-12 helps keep your blood cells healthy. A deficiency of B-12 has been associated with low platelet counts. The best sources of vitamin B-12 tend to be animal-based foods, such as: beef liver.
What is the alarming level of platelets?
A high platelet count is 400,000 (400 × 109/L) or above. A higher-than-normal number of platelets is called thrombocytosis. It means your body is making too many platelets.
How can I increase my platelets quickly?
How to Increase Platelet Count:Milk. We all know that milk is a rich source of calcium and protein and is important in maintaining the strength of bones and muscles in our body. ... Green Leafy Vegetables: ... Papaya Leaf Extract: ... Pomegranate: ... Pumpkin: ... Wheatgrass: ... Vitamin B-12. ... Iron.More items...
Does a low platelet count mean leukemia?
Your platelet count may be low if the body is not making enough platelets, losing platelets, or platelets are being destroyed. In patients with cancer, low platelet count may be caused by: Certain types of cancer: patients with lymphomas or leukemias may be at higher risk for low platelet counts.