Thrombocytopenia – Symptoms and Causes

Overview

Thrombocytopenia is a medical condition characterized by abnormally low levels of platelets in the blood.

Platelets, also called thrombocytes, are small, colorless blood cells that play a crucial role in blood clotting. When blood vessels are injured, platelets gather at the site to form plugs that stop bleeding.

This condition can stem from various causes, including:

• Bone marrow disorders like leukemia
• Immune system abnormalities
• Medication side effects

The severity of thrombocytopenia varies widely. Many people experience mild cases with few noticeable symptoms. However, in severe cases where platelet counts drop dramatically, dangerous internal bleeding may occur.

Thrombocytopenia affects people of all ages, including both children and adults.

Fortunately, several effective treatment options exist for managing this condition.

Signs and Symptoms

Thrombocytopenia may cause several noticeable signs in the body. You might see:

• Easy bruising that seems excessive
• Small reddish-purple spots (petechiae) that look like a rash, often on the legs
• Cuts that bleed longer than normal
• Bleeding from the nose or gums
• Blood appearing in urine or stool
• Heavier than usual menstrual periods
• Feeling tired often
• An enlarged spleen

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

If you notice any concerning bleeding symptoms, schedule an appointment with your doctor.

Don’t wait if the symptoms worry you.

For bleeding that doesn’t stop with normal first aid, like applying pressure, seek emergency medical help immediately. Uncontrolled bleeding requires urgent medical attention and should be treated as an emergency.

What Causes Low Platelet Count

Platelets Trapped in the Spleen

The spleen plays an important role in blood filtering and fighting infections. This fist-sized organ sits under your rib cage on the left side of your abdomen.

When the spleen becomes enlarged due to various health conditions, it can trap too many platelets inside it. This trapping reduces the number of platelets circulating in your bloodstream, leading to thrombocytopenia.

Reduced Platelet Production

Platelets come from your bone marrow. Several factors can interfere with this production process:

• Cancer conditions: Leukemia and other cancer types.
• Blood disorders: Certain types of anemia.
• Infections: Viral infections like hepatitis C or HIV.
• Cancer treatments: Chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy.
• Lifestyle factors: Heavy alcohol use.

When these conditions affect your bone marrow, it cannot make enough platelets to maintain normal levels in your blood.

Excessive Platelet Destruction

Sometimes the body uses up or destroys platelets faster than it can produce them. This creates a shortage in your bloodstream. Several conditions can cause this problem:

• Pregnancy-related: Mild thrombocytopenia can develop during pregnancy but usually improves after childbirth.
• Immune system disorders: When you have autoimmune diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system may mistakenly attack and destroy platelets.
  • When doctors can’t identify a specific cause, they call it idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura – a condition more common in children.
• Blood infections: Severe bacterial infections in the bloodstream can destroy platelets.
• Rare blood disorders:
  • Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: Small blood clots form suddenly throughout the body, using up platelets.
  • Hemolytic uremic syndrome: Causes sudden platelet drops, destroys red blood cells, and harms kidney function.
• Medication effects: Certain medicines can lower platelet counts by either directly affecting production or causing the immune system to destroy platelets. Examples include:
  • Heparin (blood thinner)
  • Quinine
  • Sulfa-containing antibiotics
  • Anticonvulsant medications

Complications

When platelet counts drop below 10,000 per microliter, serious internal bleeding may occur. This severe drop in platelets (severe thrombocytopenia) creates dangerous situations in the body.

In rare cases, bleeding can happen in the brain. This type of bleeding is particularly serious and can lead to death if not treated quickly.

The risk of complications increases as platelet counts fall further below normal levels.