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From: jak@mtgzz.UUCP (j.a.kushner)
Newsgroups: net.med
Subject: Re: Low Platelets
Message-ID: <1304@mtgzz.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 23-Oct-85 16:04:30 EDT
Article-I.D.: mtgzz.1304
Posted: Wed Oct 23 16:04:30 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 24-Oct-85 08:02:30 EDT
References: <181@nvuxg.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Information Systems Labs, Middletown NJ
Lines: 29

Low platelets may have many causes, both primary and secondary.

The test that may lead to a diagnosis include: a CBC, which on the stained
blood slide may show decreased number of platelets; a platelet count, which
will indicate the absolute number of circulating platelets per unit volume;
then, following these 'standard tests, you may have platelet function tests
or 'bleeding/clotting' tests.  Platelet function tests may only be used if
your platelet count is marginal but you have bleeding problems (glass
adsorption, or plat. aggregation tests).  A touniquet test may differentiate
a platelet problem from a vascular integrity problem, as may be caused by
a vitamin C deficiency.  Clotting tests which require normal platelet
number and function include prothrombin times and APTT's, as preliminary
studies.

There may be underlying causes of low platelets, not really related to the
platelets.  There may be an immunologic condition leading to antibody
production against your platelets, causing the to be consumed more rapidly
than normal.  This may also occur in some clotting disorders
(hypercoagulation).  They may be being sequestered in the spleen, a common
'hiding' place for those little things.

There are many reasons that your platelets may be low (both physiological and
technical).  Rather than continuing on like this, I would suggest that you
discuss this with your doctor, or get a not-too-technical hematology book from
a nearby medical library.  Some really are understandabe by the general public.

Good Luck.

Jeff (...ihnp4!mtgzz!jak)