“My platelet count showed below the normal range specified in the report, but I don’t feel any symptoms. Why could this be?”
I had a routine blood test as a part of my office screening process. The report showed that my platelet count was below the normal range that was mentioned in the report, but I am not having any symptoms. It couldn't be an incorrect reading could it? What are my next steps -- Is there another process or test I can get done?
5 Answers
PathologistPlateletDisorders
There are many causes of low platelets. The low platelet count could be due to impaired production in the marrow, medications, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Symptoms of low platelets are easy bussing, abnormal bleeding, blood in the urine, and feeling tired. Consult your healthcare provider. Thank you.
It can depend on how much below the normal range the result is. Normal ranges are determined by including the ranges seen in 97% of health volunteers. Therefore it is possible (about 3% of the time) that a healthy person falls a bit outside of the normal range. There can be many reasons for platelets to be low. Either because they are not being produced fast enough or that they are being consumed too fast. If investigation is needed, your doctor will pursue those possibilities.
It all depends on how far your Platelet Count is below the Laboratory normal range. Decreased platelet count (a condition known as Thrombocytopenia) could be a result of many causes ranging from hereditary thrombocytopenia to bone marrow depression.
Only your primary care physician can evaluate your condition based on your history, a physical examination, and any bleeding symptoms.
In general, there is a little tendency to bleed until the platelet count falls below 20,000 to 50,000/mm3. Bleeding due to low platelet counts typically presents as petechiae, epistaxis, and gingival bleeding.
Only your primary care physician can evaluate your condition based on your history, a physical examination, and any bleeding symptoms.
In general, there is a little tendency to bleed until the platelet count falls below 20,000 to 50,000/mm3. Bleeding due to low platelet counts typically presents as petechiae, epistaxis, and gingival bleeding.
If the platelet count is only slightly or moderately low then there may be no symptoms. If it is severely low, bleeding may occur (nose bleeds, bleeding gums, etc.). Confirmation of the low platelet count should be done by looking at peripheral blood smear. In some patients, the substance used to keep the blood from clotting after it is collected (the anticoagulant) can cause platelet clumping and that could result in falsely low platelet count. If that occurs, that is an error in testing and your platelets are not really low. Recollection of the blood in a different anticoagulant can fix the problem.
It depends on how low the count is. It would be wise to repeat the test to confirm the original test finding. Many conditions, including infections, medications can lower the platelet levels. These have to be excluded. Evaluation/ consultation by a hematologist might be necessary.
