Overview
Thrombocytopenia (pronounced “THROM-bo-sigh-toe-PEE-ne-ah”) occurs when your bone marrow doesn’t make enough platelets. Platelets are blood cells that form blood clots to help stop bleeding. If you have thrombocytopenia, you may bleed a lot, and the bleeding may be hard to stop.
Thrombocytopenia often affects people with certain medical conditions, like autoimmune disease or who take certain medications. Healthcare providers typically treat thrombocytopenia by treating the underlying condition and/or changing the medication that caused the issue.
How common is this condition?
People may have thrombocytopenia and not realize it because their symptoms are so mild. That’s why healthcare providers aren’t sure exactly how many people have this condition. They do know a related condition, immune thrombocytopenia, affects 3 to 4 in 100,000 children and adults. About 5% of people who are pregnant develop mild thrombocytopenia just before giving birth.
What are the complications of thrombocytopenia?
People with severe thrombocytopenia may have an increased risk of developing the following conditions:
- Severe internal bleeding: Thrombocytopenia may cause gastrointestinal bleeding or bleeding in your brain. Bleeding into your brain is a life-threatening issue.
- Heart attack: Thrombocytopenia may decrease the amount of blood flow to your heart.
What are normal platelet levels?
A normal platelet count or level in adults ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. Thrombocytopenia levels are:
- Mild thrombocytopenia: Platelet levels between 101,000 and 140,000 per microliter of blood.
- Moderate thrombocytopenia: Platelet levels between 51,000 and 100,000 per microliter of blood.
- Severe thrombocytopenia: Platelet levels between 51,000 and 21,000 microliters of blood.
Symptoms
When to see a doctor
Complications
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Some types of heart valve disease.
Prevention
- Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco.
- Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
- Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
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