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What Does My Blood Test Report Indicate?
Question: Hi. My dad's in the hospital, but isn't letting me know what he has. He went to the emergency room because his platelet count was 10. They couldn't do a bone marrow biopsy because yesterday morning it dropped to 8. Instead they gave him a blood transfusion. My dad is a daily binge drinker. Has been for most of my life. I'm 46. He's 71. I haven't heard from him all day. His cell phone is off. How worried should I be? I don't type very fast so please be patient. Thank you, doctor.
Brief Answer:
nothing to worry about
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting the question.
I have gone through your medical history in detail.
Being a chronic alcoholic,he may be suffering from alcoholic fatty liver cirrhosis.
In this condition,metabolism in the body is disturbed.Deficiency of vitamin K in turn causes platelet depletion in the blood.This may lead to internal bleeding anywhere in the body.
However other causes of platelet depletion such as viral fevers or bone marrow abnormalities need to be ruled out.
Instead of whole blood transfusion,i would suggest PCV or platelets transfusion for better and faster recovery.
Liver function tests need to be performed.
After transfusions,once his health settles down,bone marrow examination can be done.
If he is hemodynamically stable with normal blood pressure,pulse rate,respiration and consciousness,you need not worry much.He should be fine soon.
Have a discussion with his treating doctor to know the details.
I hope the answer was useful.
Feel free to ask me any follow up queries that you may have.
Thank you.
Kind regards.
nothing to worry about
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting the question.
I have gone through your medical history in detail.
Being a chronic alcoholic,he may be suffering from alcoholic fatty liver cirrhosis.
In this condition,metabolism in the body is disturbed.Deficiency of vitamin K in turn causes platelet depletion in the blood.This may lead to internal bleeding anywhere in the body.
However other causes of platelet depletion such as viral fevers or bone marrow abnormalities need to be ruled out.
Instead of whole blood transfusion,i would suggest PCV or platelets transfusion for better and faster recovery.
Liver function tests need to be performed.
After transfusions,once his health settles down,bone marrow examination can be done.
If he is hemodynamically stable with normal blood pressure,pulse rate,respiration and consciousness,you need not worry much.He should be fine soon.
Have a discussion with his treating doctor to know the details.
I hope the answer was useful.
Feel free to ask me any follow up queries that you may have.
Thank you.
Kind regards.
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. Kampana
Answered by
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