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What Causes Low Blood Platelet Count?
Question: Low Platelet Count. Lukemia and cancer ruled out from bone marrow test. Has been put on steroids??? Only effected walking and from the calves of legs down. So weak. platelet count very low. Have been given iv platelets or blood.Worried about taking steroids.
Brief Answer:
If yours is an immune related response, steroids will be really useful
Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. A low platelet count is called thrombocytopenia, and is only a symptom/sign and not a diagnosis.
There are many listed causes for thrombocytopenia like:
+Leukemia
+Chronic alcoholism
+Chemotherapy
+Viral infections
+Hemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)
+Thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpure (a differential diagnosis for HUS)
+Immune system related (here the immune system causes a drop in the platelet levels)
Most of the conditions listed above are ruled out during the initial investigations, once they are, an immune system related thrombocytopenia is considered. In order to help normalise the platelet count, suppression of the immune system is required.
This is done using steroids at first, and only if they do not provide the desired result, other options are considered. So although steroids are always used with care, in your case, it could just be the best option sir.
I hope you find this information both helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
If yours is an immune related response, steroids will be really useful
Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. A low platelet count is called thrombocytopenia, and is only a symptom/sign and not a diagnosis.
There are many listed causes for thrombocytopenia like:
+Leukemia
+Chronic alcoholism
+Chemotherapy
+Viral infections
+Hemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)
+Thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpure (a differential diagnosis for HUS)
+Immune system related (here the immune system causes a drop in the platelet levels)
Most of the conditions listed above are ruled out during the initial investigations, once they are, an immune system related thrombocytopenia is considered. In order to help normalise the platelet count, suppression of the immune system is required.
This is done using steroids at first, and only if they do not provide the desired result, other options are considered. So although steroids are always used with care, in your case, it could just be the best option sir.
I hope you find this information both helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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