Do You Have a Low Platelet Count?

Risks & 7 Natural Treatments

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Do you tend to bruise easily and have trouble stoping cuts or
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wounds from bleeding? Or perhaps frequently get nosebleeds
or bloody gums? If so, there’s a chance you have a low platelet
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count.
Having a low platelet count — a condition called
“thrombocytopenia” — is a problem with normal blood clotting
and bruising that results from having low levels
of thrombocytes, colorless blood cells produced by bone
marrow. Thrombocytes are responsible for helping form blood
clots in the arteries/veins and stopping bleeding. A low platelet
count puts someone at a higher risk for internal bleeding or
other blood clotting and blood vessel-related problems — and
unfortunately can sometimes really take a toll on quality of life.

Idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) is the type of low

platelet count caused by an autoimmune disease that affects
how platelets are produced and used  in the body. Autoimmune
disorders, including arthritis, leukemia and lymphoma, can all
trigger ITP, and factors like medication use and toxin exposure
can also lower blood platelet counts. Not every patient with low
platelet counts has a serious autoimmune disorder. Some cases
of mild thrombocytopenia are caused by common lifestyle
factors, can be treated pretty easily, and don’t even cause any
noticeable signs and symptoms at all.

Thrombocytopenia varies in terms of the symptoms it causes

and how it’s managed, depending on how severely someone’s
Are you trying to live a healthier
life?people might need to simply
platelet counts have fallen. Some
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doctors only periodically, butaddress
Email others need to stay in the hospital
temporarily from time to time for emergency care and strictly
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avoid anything that could potentially
As you’ll learn, there are many different causes of low platelet
counts, which can make treating the condition somewhat
confusing. But fortunately the majority of people with mild to
moderately low platelets are able to correct their counts pretty
easily and live a normal, healthy life — all by making some diet
and lifestyle changes.

How to Treat a Low Platelet

Count
If you notice that you’re developing bruises more easily and
bleeding for a long period of time even after only getting a
minor cut, talk to your doctor to check your platelet counts. A
diagnosis of a low platelet count can be made using several
tests: a complete blood count, which measures the levels of all
blood cells/platelets in your blood; a blood smear, which looks
at the actual shape of your platelets; or bone marrow tests and
blood clotting tests to check for proper production and function
of platelets. You might also need an ultrasound to check your
spleen to see if it’s enlarged and possibly tapping platelets
inside.
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Sometimes thrombocytopenialife?is only mild and doesn’t even
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need to be treated, sinceBangalore
blooda healthier
can stillplaceclot normally enough.

Other times if it becomes severe,

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prescribe medications to help ensure blood can clot or change

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the medications you currently take to stop their side effects.
Medications and treatments used to stabilize severely low
platelet counts can include platelet transfusions, splenectomy
(surgery to remove the spleen), corticosteroids or
immunoglobulins, which block effects of the immune system.
(1)

Once a diagnosis has been made, you can use the

recommendations below to help raise your blood platelet
counts, manage symptoms and prevent complications
from developing:

1. Improve Your Diet

Vitamin B12 or folate (vitamin B9) deficiency can both cause

mild to moderate low platelet counts. Taking supplements is
one way to help resolve this, but the better option is to get
enough of these nutrients to begin with. Vitamin B12 deficiency
is thought to be one of the leading nutrient deficiencies in the
world, and being low in folate puts you at risk for not only having
low platelets, but also experiencing pregnancy complications,
heart problems and fatigue. Thus, you should consume foods
with these vital nutrients:

• Some of the best sources of vitamin B12 include beef,

chicken liver, salmon, tuna, yogurt and turkey.
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• The top folate foods include life?
beans. lentils, spinach,
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and beets.
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Aside from making sure to get enough B12 and folate, focus on
generally eating an unprocessed, balanced diet to raise
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immunity against viruses or infections and help your organs
detoxify your body of chemicals you encounter. Fresh fruits and
vegetables are especially important for meeting your nutrient
needs, includin: leafy greens, berries, cruciferous vegetables,
fresh herbs and spices.

According to the Platelet Disorder Support Association, about 40

percent of people with low platelet counts reported some
improvement in their bleeding symptoms and their platelet
counts after following either the macrobiotic diet or the diet
recommended in the book “Eat Right for Your Type” by Dr. Peter
J. D’Adamo. These recommendations include eating more fresh
foods as described above, avoiding packaged/processed
foods, and limiting or eliminating dairy, low-quality meat and
added sugars. (2)

2. Decrease or Eliminate Alcohol and Sugary Drinks

Heavy drinkers are at a higher risk for having low platelet counts
since alcohol slows the production of platelets. According to a
report in the journal Alcohol, Health and Research World, heavy
alcohol consumption can cause generalized suppression of
blood cell production and the production of structurally
abnormal blood cell precursors that don’t function properly to
clot blood. Research shows that a percentage of alcoholics
have defective red Are you cells
blood trying that
to liveare
life?
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destroyed prematurely,
as well as abnormalI'mlevels ofwith
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likelihood to have autoimmune reactions and frequent bacterial
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infections. Thrombocytopenia affects up to 43 percent of
alcoholics who eat normally and up to 80 percent who do
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not. (3)
Everyone responds to drinking alcohol differently, so you need to
consider your unique situation and medical history to know how
much alcohol your body can tolerate without complications. A
general recommendation for healthy adults is to have no more
than one to two drinks per day (one for adult women, two for
men), so those with low platelets should have even less.
Avoiding sugary, processed drinks is also helpful since these
tend to have lots of chemicals that can also disturb normal
platelet production, including artificial sweeteners like
aspartame, synthetic colors and preservatives.

3. Reduce Exposure to Toxic Chemicals

Chemicals, such as pesticides found in non-organic produce,

mercury from certain seafood, arsenic and benzene, can slow
the production of platelets. Tips for helping you lower your
exposure to these harmful chemicals include:

• buying mostly organic produce whenever possible

• using natural cleaning products and beauty products, such
as those made with essential oils instead of synthetic
ingredients
• painting your home with low volatile paints
• growing some of your own food in a garden using organic
fertilizers Are you trying to live a healthier
life?
• avoiding burning
I'm chemical
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can make or candles
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• using glass or ceramic containers to store leftovers instead
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of those made with plastic or BPA aluminum toxins, and
never heating food up in plastic
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• avoid eating large fish that are high in mercury (like big
tuna, shark or swordfish), getting mercury fillings or
amalgam fillings in your teeth, or using mercury
thermometers

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4. Decrease or Stop Using Painkilling Drugs

Over-the-counter painkillers like aspirin and ibuprofen can thin

your blood and affect your platelet levels. While they do reduce
pain, they can also raise your risk for bleeding disorders when
used too frequently. How much is too much? It depends on the
person, but if you rely on taking these almost every day you
might experience any number of adverse side effects.

They might not work as quickly, but you can help manage pain
naturally by improving your diet and lowering inflammation.
Exercise and anti-inflammatory supplements also help,
including omega-3 fish oil, turmeric, frankincense/boswellia
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5. Take Helpful Supplements
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Aside from vitamin B12 and folate described above to help
prevent deficiencies, and anti-inflammatories for controlling
pain, there’s evidence that people with low platelet counts can
also benefit from taking or consuming more of the following:
(4)

• Vitamin D plays a valuable role in the function of

hematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow that produce
platelets, plus can help manage autoimmune diseases.
Vitamin D is best acquired through sunlight and exposure of
sunshine on your bare skin.
• Vitamin K is needed for proper blood clotting, has anti-
inflammatory properties and has been shown to help control
bleeding disorders, so consume vitamin K-rich foods.
• Sea vegetables (chlorophyll/algae/seaweed) help bind to
heavy metals, can raise immunity and provide many
nutrients people tend to be deficient in.

6. Protect Yourself from Injuries and Infections

For people who already have been diagnosed with low platelet
counts, avoiding injuries and infections is important, since both
can worsen autoimmune reactions, spleen enlargement and
trigger excessive bleeding. Be careful to avoid injuries related to
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sports, work, exercise you trying to live
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machinery.
life?
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Most experts recommend that apeople
Bangalore with low platelet counts
healthier place

avoid contact sports, such asaddress

Email boxing, football, skiing or karate,
which can cause bleeding. Protect your spleen by avoiding
exposure to infections and GET STARTED
viruses as much as possible, which
means staying away from sick family members or co-workers
and keeping children with low platelet counts out of day care
facilities.

7. Help Treat Bruises Naturally

If you have low platelet counts that cause bruising or redness

on your skin, try this homemade bruise cream made with
natural, soothing ingredients like frankincense, shea butter,
jojoba oil and coconut oil.

Low Platelet Count vs. High Platelet Count

Here is how platelet counts are normally defined: (5)

• normal platelet count: between 150,000–450,000 platelets

per microliter of circulating blood
• low platelet count: anything under 150,000 platelets per
microliter of circulating blood is considered low (if the
platelet count falls below 20,000 per microliter, spontaneous
bleeding may occur and is considered life-threatening)
• high platelet count: above 450,000 platelets per microliter is
high — at this point your doctor will likely look for an
underlying condition
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Having abnormally I'm
high platelet counts is referred to as
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thrombocytosis. An underlying condition of high platelets could
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be an infection, or it could be due to a blood and bone marrow
disease, which makes the causes similar to those of low
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platelets. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness or
lightheadedness, chest pains, and weakness. Both high and low
platelet counts are treated similarly and depend on what’s
causing them in the first place. Usually changing someone’s
medications, diet and nutrient intake can help both conditions,
or making sure to identify any underlying infection or
autoimmune disorder.

Low Platelet Count Symptoms

The most common signs and symptoms of a low platelet

count include: (6)

• Prolonged bleeding from cuts or wounds

• Easily becoming bruised or developing excessive bruising
(called purpura, which shows up as purple, blue or brown
marks under the skin)
• Bleeding under the skin that appears as a rash of small
spots (petechiae), most likely to develop on the legs
• Bleeding gums and gum disease (this can happen while
you brush your teeth or other times)
• Having nosebleeds
• Finding blood inAreurine
you or stool
trying (stool
to live can appear as red
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blood or as a dark black-gray color)
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• Having heavy menstrual flows
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• Feeling tired and fatigued often

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• Having frequent headaches

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 • Developing an enlarged spleen, which can cause pain in the
abdomen and tenderness
• Developing a yellow color of the skin (jaundice)

The most obvious sign or symptom of a low platelet count is

bleeding that cannot be stopped using normal interventions, like
holding a compress against the wound/cut. Some people with
find out they have low platelet counts after getting their annual
physical exam results, while others might experience a fall or
injury and seek help due to a large amount of bleeding.

It’s possible that some people have ITP (the type of low platelets
that’s an autoimmune disease) in their systems and aren’t
aware of it until something triggers bleeding and raises
suspicion, leading to them visiting their doctor — at which point
they receive a diagnoses.

How Low Blood Platelet Counts Develop

Platelets in the blood are constantly renewed by bone marrow,

and counts stay normal and consistent through a process of
ongoing production and destruction. In healthy people, platelets
wind up dying off after about 10 days, at which point they’re
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replaced by new ones. But in people life? with low platelets, there are
either less platelets I'm
being produced, or a faster removal of
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platelets, which keep counts abnormally low.
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Bone marrow is the sponge-like tissue inside the bones, which
contains very valuable cells called stem cells. Stem cells mature
and develop into various types of blood cells, including red
blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Someone who
experiences damage to stem cells inside the bone marrow isn’t
able to make the necessary blood cells and platelets needed to
properly clot blood. People with normal blood platelet counts
have between 150,000–450,000 platelets per microliter of
circulating blood, but those with low counts can have much
less.

According to the American Society of Hematology,

thrombocytopenia can be caused by genetic/inherited factors
or as a side effect of people’s lifestyles, including the
medications they take, their diets and their medical histories,
which all affect how their spleens and bone marrow function.
(7) Genetic mutations can cause thrombocytopenia due to
diminished production or shortened life span of platelets related
to alterations in transcription factors, cytokines, cell surface
receptors and signaling molecules.

In cases where low platelet counts are acquired but not

inherited (the person wasn’t born with the condition but later
developed it), something in that person’s life causes abnormal
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changes in how bone marrow and life? the spleen produce, release
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the blood.a healthier place

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Low platelet counts occur when circulating platelets either:

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• aren’t released by the spleen normally (the spleen can hold
on to them or they can become trapped)
• aren’t produced in high enough amounts by the bone
marrow to begin with
• are produced normally by bone marrow, but then there’s an
increased destruction of platelets
• some combination of these factors above occur

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Low Platelet Count Causes
(Thrombocytopenia)

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Wondering what causes trying to live a healthier
abnormalities described above?
life?
According to the National Heart,
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of the most common underlying reasons for alternations in
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normal blood platelet counts include: (8)

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• Enlarged spleen: The spleen helps fight infections and
clean the blood, so illnesses that cause an enlarged spleen
can cause too many platelets to become trapped inside
while the body tries to fight off bacteria or a virus. In healthy
people, around one-third of the body’s platelets are held in
the spleen, but conditions like liver disease/cirrhosis
prevent scarring, which keep platelets harbored inside.

• Reactions to medications and over-the-counter drugs:

Platelet production can be altered due to the use of drugs,
including diuretics, NSAID anti-inflammatory drugs and
antibiotics, or frequently taking common painkillers like
ibuprofen and aspirin. (9)

• Autoimmune diseases: Diseases like lupus and rheumatoid

arthritis cause the immune system to mistakenly attack and
destroys platelets. This is called immune
thrombocytopenia or ITP. (10)

• Alcohol: Alcohol  slows the production of platelets and is the

biggest problem when it’s consumed excessively, especially
if someone’s diet is also low in nutrients.

• Poor diet and nutrient deficiencies: Certain nutrients

are needed to make enough platelets, including iron,
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vitamin B12 and folate. Beinglife?
deficient in these nutrients can
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change how many are produced
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normal time periods.Email

Theaddress
Platelet Information and Blood
Testing Laboratory recommends making sure you get
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 enough of these nutrients through your diet in addition to
calcium, vitamin K and vitamin D. (11)

• Infections and viruses: Rarely, severe bacterial infections

involving the blood cause a pause in platelet production.
Viruses that can change how platelets are renewed include
chickenpox, mumps, rubella, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS and certain
other rare viruses. Most of the time common viruses only
alter blood platelets temporarily, but some serious viruses
like AIDS can permanently cause damage.

• Toxin exposure from the environment: Chemicals commonly

found in the environment, including pesticides, arsenic and
benzene, can all slow the production of platelets.

• Pregnancy: Sometimes pregnant women temporarily

experience slowed platelet production, but this is usually
mild and goes away after the baby is born. Estimates show
that around 5 percent of pregnant women develop mild
thrombocytopenia at some point during their pregnancies.

• Genetics: Certain conditions that run in families and are

inherited cause low platelet counts, including Wiskott-
Aldrich and May-Hegglin syndromes.

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• Cancer: Leukemia or trying to live adirectly
lymphoma healthierdamage bone
life?
marrow and destroy blood
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common cancer treatments (radiation and chemotherapy)
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destroy stem cell even more. (12)

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 • Aplastic anemia: When the bone marrow stops making
enough new blood cells, called aplastic anemia, it causes a
low platelet count.

Low Platelet Count Takeaways

• Having a low platelet count — a condition called

“thrombocytopenia” — is a problem with normal blood
clotting and bruising that results from having low levels of
thrombocytes, colorless blood cells produced by bone
marrow.
• Common signs and symptoms of a low platelet count
include prolonged bleeding form cuts or wounds, easily
becoming bruised or developing excessive bruising,
bleeding under the skin that appears as a rash of small
spots, bleeding gums and gum disease, nosebleeds, blood
in urine or stool, heavy menstrual flows, feeling tired and
fatigued often, frequent headaches, enlarged spleen, and
jaundice.
• Low platelet counts occur when circulating platelets either
aren’t released by the spleen normally, aren’t produced in
high enough amounts by the bone marrow to begin with,
Are you trying to live a healthier
are produced normally by bone life? marrow but then there’s an
increased destruction of platelets, or some combination of
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these factors occurs.
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• Low platelet count causes include an enlarged spleen,
reactions to medications
GETand over-the-counter drugs,
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 autoimmune diseases, alcohol, poot diet and nutrient
deficiencies, infections and viruses, toxin exposure,
pregnancy, genetics, cancer, and aplastic anemia.
• Once a diagnosis has been made, you can use the following
recommendations to help raise your blood platelet counts,
manage symptoms and prevent complications from
developing: improve your diet, decrease or eliminate alcohol
and sugary drinks, reduce exposure to toxic chemicals,
decrease or stop using painkillers, take helpful supplements
and herbs, protect yourself from injuries and infections, and
help treat bruises naturally.

Read Next: Do You Have an Enlarged Spleen?

Warning Signs + 5 Treatments

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