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What Causes Multiple Bruises On The Legs And Arms?
Question: I'm a 30 year old male who recently noticed multiple bruises on my legs and arms. I also have been noticing light pain in my joints and bones that come and go throughout the day and last for a few seconds to a couple minutes at a time. No other symptoms are present. I do work out allot which could have caused the bruising but I'm not 100% positive. The bruising has gotten better in the past couple of days.
I decided to go to the doctor and he didn't have any concerns for the bruises. I did forget to mention the pain in the bones and joints to him. I had him order blood work anyways and everything came back normal in range besides my glucose which was a 106 and my alkaline phosphatase which was a 37. I'm currently taking 20mg Paxil a day and I do have a few alcoholic beverages a night.
Any concerns or thoughts for any of the above ?
I decided to go to the doctor and he didn't have any concerns for the bruises. I did forget to mention the pain in the bones and joints to him. I had him order blood work anyways and everything came back normal in range besides my glucose which was a 106 and my alkaline phosphatase which was a 37. I'm currently taking 20mg Paxil a day and I do have a few alcoholic beverages a night.
Any concerns or thoughts for any of the above ?
Brief Answer:
nothing serious probably
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
although your description does not raise much concern, some investigation is required. I would have also asked for bleeding time, INR and aPTT if I were your doctor. Bleeding time may exclude platelet dysfunction (despite the normal count), INR and aPTT would exclude coagulation factor disorders.
Kind regards!
nothing serious probably
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
although your description does not raise much concern, some investigation is required. I would have also asked for bleeding time, INR and aPTT if I were your doctor. Bleeding time may exclude platelet dysfunction (despite the normal count), INR and aPTT would exclude coagulation factor disorders.
Kind regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Can you please explain what you mean ? What are some possible conditions that I could have that these tears can rule out ?
Brief Answer:
please read the full answer
Detailed Answer:
I'm not sure which part was not clear enough. Let me explain it again, in more words this time. The body 'fixes' little injury by forming clots. The first clot to be formed is made of platelets. Then a 'permanent' clot is formed by the coagulation system.
The platelets have to be OK in number and functionality to perform their tasks. Your test proves that you have enough platelets. It doesn't say anything about their functionality though. A basic test for that is bleeding time. Normal bleeding time almost excludes platelet dysfunction. Disorders like vonWillebrand's disease and other platelet disorders may impair clot formation.
The coagulation system produces a more stable clot by activating the coagulation cascade. This cascade involves many coagulation factors. A defective factor may result in reduced ability to form clots. Hemophilia is a good example.
I can't refer to any particular disorder at this point. I can only recommend testing for groups of disorders. I've mentioned some examples though.
In your case, since the bruises got better without any intervention, it's very likely that they were just normal bruises caused by injury (as you've said in your initial question). Despite that, testing would minimize the risk for any bleeding disorder. That's why I recommended it.
I hope it's clear enough now!
Kind Regards!
please read the full answer
Detailed Answer:
I'm not sure which part was not clear enough. Let me explain it again, in more words this time. The body 'fixes' little injury by forming clots. The first clot to be formed is made of platelets. Then a 'permanent' clot is formed by the coagulation system.
The platelets have to be OK in number and functionality to perform their tasks. Your test proves that you have enough platelets. It doesn't say anything about their functionality though. A basic test for that is bleeding time. Normal bleeding time almost excludes platelet dysfunction. Disorders like vonWillebrand's disease and other platelet disorders may impair clot formation.
The coagulation system produces a more stable clot by activating the coagulation cascade. This cascade involves many coagulation factors. A defective factor may result in reduced ability to form clots. Hemophilia is a good example.
I can't refer to any particular disorder at this point. I can only recommend testing for groups of disorders. I've mentioned some examples though.
In your case, since the bruises got better without any intervention, it's very likely that they were just normal bruises caused by injury (as you've said in your initial question). Despite that, testing would minimize the risk for any bleeding disorder. That's why I recommended it.
I hope it's clear enough now!
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you doctor. Are bleeding disorders treatable and are they life threatening ?
Brief Answer:
it depends on the disorder
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
It depends on the disorder. Some of them are inherited, so you can never get over them but they can be managed. For example, patients with acquired hemophilia may receive the missing coagulation factor.
Serious disorders are indeed life threatening and may also cause serious disability. Bleeding in the joints may cause serious disability. Bleeding in the brain may cause death or disability.
Remember that your symptoms are not indicative of a bleeding disorder. The bruises may raise some suspicion but we usually expect more in real bleeding disorders (like prolonged bleeding when shaving or after injury, etc).
Kind Regards!
it depends on the disorder
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
It depends on the disorder. Some of them are inherited, so you can never get over them but they can be managed. For example, patients with acquired hemophilia may receive the missing coagulation factor.
Serious disorders are indeed life threatening and may also cause serious disability. Bleeding in the joints may cause serious disability. Bleeding in the brain may cause death or disability.
Remember that your symptoms are not indicative of a bleeding disorder. The bruises may raise some suspicion but we usually expect more in real bleeding disorders (like prolonged bleeding when shaving or after injury, etc).
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I'm nervous because of the joint pain as online it is showing as one of the symptoms. I
Made an appointment to see my doctor next week. Will I post any risk for waiting that long ?
Made an appointment to see my doctor next week. Will I post any risk for waiting that long ?
Brief Answer:
I don't think so...
Detailed Answer:
As I've pointed out already, your symptoms do not raise much concern. If your joint symptoms do not get worse (swelling, pain, etc) then I don't see the need for an immediate visit.
Kind Regards!
I don't think so...
Detailed Answer:
As I've pointed out already, your symptoms do not raise much concern. If your joint symptoms do not get worse (swelling, pain, etc) then I don't see the need for an immediate visit.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your response. I have one more question. Can a multivitamin, Paxil, or male libido (nitric-oxide booster to increase blood flow) alter the results on a blood test ?
Brief Answer:
Probably not
Detailed Answer:
I don't know of any false indications caused by them. For example, XXXXXXX may not cause falsely elevated transaminases. Elevated transaminases can only indicate true liver toxicity.
Kind Regards!
Probably not
Detailed Answer:
I don't know of any false indications caused by them. For example, XXXXXXX may not cause falsely elevated transaminases. Elevated transaminases can only indicate true liver toxicity.
Kind Regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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