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What causes low platelets? Most likely you have had a blood test and been told that this is a problem. Platelets are formed in the bone marrow along with other types of blood cells. These particular ones are responsible for the clotting of blood. If the number of platelets in your bloodstream drops too low, then your blood won’t clot properly and there are some associated risks, such as bleeding from the nose or gums. In serious cases it can cause internal bleeding. Here are 3 of the most common reasons as to what causes low platelets.
- Viruses
Certain conditions and illnesses can affect the bone marrow where platelets are produced, and so impair the production of them. Conditions such as mumps, rubella, hepatitis C, chicken pox and HIV are all likely candidates
- Destruction of the cells
Sometimes the body itself can cause these clotting cells to be destroyed at too high a rate. This will then result in a lowered amount in the blood stream.
- Enlargement of the spleen
Conditions which cause the spleen to enlarge such as cirrhosis of the liver or certain types of leukemia can cause a lowering of the amount in the blood stream
The medical name for this condition is thrombocytopenia. The lifespan of one of these platelets is only about 7-10 days, after which they are taken to the spleen for destruction and then excretion from the body. It is pretty rare for the count to fall so low as to cause internal bleeding, the condition will normally be caught by your doctor way before it gets to that stage. If you have been diagnosed with this, then your doctor will take a plan of action to rectify the problem, and will be the best person to advise you on what causes low platelets.
What Causes Low Platelets? - 3 Causes for Low Blood Platelets
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