What Causes Severe Bruising On Skin After A Blood Test In PTSD Patient?

Posted on Thu, 2 Jun 2016

Question: I am 52 yr old female with chronic PTSD and fibromyalgia diagnosed 2 yrs ago. During my life I have been anaemia and also had severe glandular fever, followed by cfs.

Lately I notice that even though I have fair skin and have bruised easily, if I scratch or just bump myself, or even have a blood test I develop severe bruising, it is usually a very dark bruise and can be widespread.

Last year I had low iron levels and took tablets for two months, they lifted the iron count but my tests show I also have a non specific inflammation which I have had since my twenties. The bruising and pain is worse and I need advice.

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Disorders of platelets, clotting factors, connective tissue are likely cause of symptoms

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.
Easy bruisibility on skin after trivial trauma can occur due to disorder of platelets, disorder of coagulation factors or disorder of connective tissue.
Iron deficiency is not likely to cause easy bruises on skin.
I suggest you to take up few investigations to check the status of platelet number & function as well as status of coagulation factors.
I suggest you to get complete hemogram with platelet counts, bleeding time, clotting time, prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time.
These are the basic investigations which will assess the platelets and coagulation factors.
If all these investigations are within normal limit, connective tissue disorder needs to be considered.
I suggest you to consult a hematologist for clinical assessment, investigations and thus diagnosis.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D