When an injury occurs, platelets quickly come to the injured area, where they form a plug and thus stop bleeding. This platelet blockage then combines with other factors that promote wound healing. Normal levels of platelets are critical for the body. Insufficient platelet count can lead to bleeding, while high platelet count can increase the risk of blood clots. Therefore, it is important that platelet levels are in balance. Low platelet count, or low PLT for short, refers to the condition in which the number of cells called platelets, which play an important role in the blood clotting process, falls below normal.
What is platelet?
Platelets are small, disc-shaped cells that help blood clot. Platelets are produced in the bone marrow from cells called megakaryocytes. Megakaryocytes form platelets as they break down. Platelets play an important role in injuries to blood vessels. Platelets come together at the site of injury and form a blood clot. A blood clot prevents blood from continuing to bleed.
Thrombocytes also play a role in the body’s defense system. Platelets produce antibodies that help fight bacteria and viruses. Deficiency or excess of platelets can lead to serious health problems. Thrombocyte values according to age are as follows:
- The normal range for platelet values in the elderly is 150,000 to 350,000 cells/mL.
- The normal range for platelet values in adults is 150,000 to 450,000 cells/mL.
- The normal range for platelet values in children is 150,000 to 400,000 cells/mL.
- The normal range for platelet values in newborns is 100,000 to 300,000 cells/mL.
What is low platelet count?
Low platelet count is a condition in which the number of platelets in the blood is below normal. Platelets are small, disc-shaped cells that help blood clot. If the platelet count is below 150,000 cells/mL, it is called thrombocytopenia. Low platelet count may lead to a tendency to bleeding. People with mild low platelets may not have any signs or symptoms. However, people with more serious low platelets may experience the following symptoms:
- Prolonged bleeding from minor cuts or scrapes
- bleeding gums
- Nose bleeding
- Prolongation or aggravation of menstrual bleeding
- Internal bleeding
What causes low PLT?
There may be many reasons for low platelet count, or low PLT. The most common causes are:
- Bone marrow disease: Bone marrow is an organ that produces platelets. Bone marrow disease can reduce platelet production.
- Medicines: Some medications can reduce platelet production or accelerate the breakdown of platelets.
- Infections: Some infections can reduce platelet production or accelerate the breakdown of platelets.
- Cancer: Cancer treatment may reduce platelet production.
- Destruction of platelets by the immune system: In some cases, the immune system may recognize platelets as foreign cells and destroy them.
Low platelet count is called thrombocytopenia. Diagnosis of thrombocytopenia is made by complete blood count (CBC). CBC measures the number of all cells in the blood. If the platelet count is below 150,000 cells/mL, thrombocytopenia, that is, low PLT, is diagnosed.
What happens if PLT is low?
PLT is the abbreviation for platelets. Platelets are small disc-shaped cells that help blood clot. Low PLT is a condition where the platelet count is below normal. Low PLT may lead to a tendency to bleeding. People with mild low platelets may not have any signs or symptoms. Some possible consequences of low PLT include:
- Predisposition to bleeding: Low PLT may lead to a tendency to bleeding. This can lead to problems such as prolonged bleeding from minor cuts or scrapes, bleeding gums, nosebleeds, prolonged or aggravated menstrual bleeding, and internal bleeding.
- Blood clotting problems: Platelets help blood clotting. Low PLT can lead to blood clotting problems. This may increase the risk of bleeding.
- Other health problems: Low PLT can lead to other health problems. For example, low PLT may increase the risk of infection.
What to do if PLT is low?
Treatment for low PLT depends on the underlying cause. If there is an underlying cause such as bone marrow disease or cancer, the focus is on treating this condition. If there are other causes, such as medications or infections, these factors are treated. Some people with low PLT may require blood transfusion to increase platelet count. Platelet transfusion may help temporarily increase the platelet count.
Low PLT is a condition that can lead to serious health problems. For this reason, it is important for people with low PLT to see a doctor regularly. People with low PLT can reduce their risk of bleeding by taking the following precautions:
- Apply pressure to stop bleeding on minor cuts or scrapes.
- Be careful when brushing and flossing your teeth to prevent bleeding gums.
- Apply a cold compress to your nostrils to prevent nosebleeds.
- Talk to your doctor about controlling menstrual bleeding.
- If you have signs of internal bleeding, seek medical help immediately.
It is important for people with low PLT to see a doctor regularly. Your doctor can determine the cause of low PLT and plan appropriate treatment. People with low PLT should seek emergency medical help if:
- uncontrollable bleeding
- Sudden dizziness or fainting
- Painful or swollen joints
- chest pain
- breathing difficulties
- Signs of internal bleeding (abdominal pain, back pain, vomiting, diarrhea)
Is low platelet count a sign of cancer?
Low platelet count may be a sign of cancer, but it is not a sign of cancer on its own. There may be many reasons for low platelet count, and cancer is just one of these reasons. Some situations in which low platelet count may be a sign of cancer include:
- Bone marrow cancer: Bone marrow cancer is the invasion of the bone marrow by cancerous cells. Bone marrow is an organ that produces platelets. In people with bone marrow cancer, platelet production may be reduced.
- Leukemia: Leukemia is the invasion of blood cells by cancerous cells. Platelet production may be decreased in people with leukemia.
- Hodgkin lymphoma: Hodgkin lymphoma is the invasion of the lymph nodes by cancerous cells. Platelet production may be decreased in people with Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the invasion of lymph nodes by cancerous cells. Platelet production may be decreased in people with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
It is important to evaluate people with low platelet count in terms of cancer risk. Your doctor will perform a complete blood count, bone marrow biopsy, and other tests to determine the cause of low platelets.
How is low platelet count due to infection treated?
Low platelet count due to infection is treated by treating the underlying infection. Infection can be caused by a microorganism such as bacteria, virus or fungus. Antibiotics are used in the treatment of low platelet count due to bacterial infections. Antibiotics treat the infection by killing bacteria. Antiviral drugs are used in the treatment of low platelet count due to viral infections. Antiviral medications treat infection by killing viruses or stopping them from multiplying.
Antifungal drugs are used in the treatment of low platelet count due to fungal infections. Antifungal medications treat the infection by killing the fungi or stopping them from multiplying. In some cases, platelet transfusion may be required to increase the platelet count. Platelet transfusion is the introduction of platelets into the bloodstream.