Low platelet count in the blood?

Before talking about the norm and pathology, it is necessary to consider what is a platelet, what are its functions. Platelets are blood cells, These are cell fragments and are colorless plates. In the body, they perform a protective function, forming a clot at the site of damage, thereby preventing bleeding.

The norm of platelets in the analysis of the blood of an adult is 180-320 * 10 ⁹ / l. Consider the reasons for the deviation from the norm. A low level of platelets in the blood is characterized by the term "thrombocytopenia". Its causes are most often associated with the pathology of the life cycle of a platelet, that is, either with a red bone marrow (platelet production disorder - thrombocytopoiesis downwards) or with a spleen (increased destruction of platelets), but other pathology variants are also possible. A very low level of blood platelets in the blood is characterized by hemorrhages under the skin in the form of petechiae - point hemorrhages - or in the form of ecchymoses, simply bruises. All these symptoms are associated with a violation of coagulation - anticoagulant - the blood system.

After treatment, it is better to consult a hematologist, but with an insignificant decrease in platelets, you can improve the blood by diet. Enter in your diet more foods containing protein - nuts, meat, eggs, legumes. Fresh vegetables and fruits containing vitamins will also be useful, however you can take a multivitamin complex additionally. Thus, a low level of platelets in the blood will be quickly eliminated.

Elevated levels of platelets in the blood - thrombocytosis - is usually the result of chronic hematological diseases or infectious diseases, iron deficiency and removal of the spleen. There are two forms of thrombocytosis - primary and secondary. Primary is associated with pathological division of the cells of platelet precursors in the bone marrow. Secondary - with an increase in the number of peripheral blood platelet numbers due to infectious diseases, low iron levels in the blood and splenectomy. Most often, thrombocytosis is asymptomatic, therefore, blood test will help to detect elevated blood platelet level, and the hematologist should choose the right treatment strategy. In this case, self-medication is unacceptable, since increased coagulability of blood in the long absence of the right treatment can lead to the formation of thrombi that can enter the heart or blood vessels of the brain.

Thus, blood test parameters are important diagnostic features that may indicate thrombocytopenia or thrombocytosis. If there is a significant deviation in the results from the norm, it is necessary to urgently consult a hematologist, but mild deviations in the absence of any symptoms can be associated with the current state of the body and not be signs of serious diseases. Therefore, if you notice that you have a high or low platelet count in your blood - this is not a reason for panic. It is necessary to thoroughly understand everything.