What Causes Low Hemoglobin And Platelet Counts?

Posted on Mon, 28 Dec 2015

Question: My mother has been have blood transfusions because her platelets were low and is not producing hemoglobin. She had a bone marrow test but the test was inconclusive, in other words they didn't take enough in sample size. She is 82 years old, and was taken to the hospital again so that the test will be taken this Monday. So far through any testing they have not found what is the cause of her inability to produce hemoglobin. If this was cancer of an sort, wouldn't they have found out by now through the routine testing they have done. In the meantime she continues to receive the blood transfusions and has been given vitamin B-12. If it is not cancer what are the other possible causes?

Answered by Dr. Hardik Sanghvi (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Aplastic anemia, megaloblastic anemia, bone marrow failure

Detailed Answer:
Hi, dear
I have gone through your question. I can understand your concern. Your mother has low hemoglobin and low platelet count. It can be due to apastic anemia, hypoplastic anemia, megaloblastic anemia, viral infection, leukemia or marro infiltration by other causes.

She should go for bone marrow examination again. Because bone marrow examination is diagnostic test in this condition. So go for repeat bone marrow examination and start treatment accordingly.
Hope I have answered your question, if you have doubt then I will be happy to answer. Thanks for using health care magic. Wish you a very good health.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar