ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Thrombocytopenia

What is thrombocytopenia?

4 May 2021

It is a bone marrow abnormality in which there is a low number of thrombocytes or platelets in the blood, which are the cells responsible for the blood coagulation process, which group together to block vascular damage and make the bleeding stop.

Thrombocytopenia may be caused by immune system disorders, conditions such as leukemia, or a reaction to certain drugs.

It can occur in anyone regardless of age, and its symptoms are usually mild, but in severe cases, internal bleeding may occur due to an excessively low platelet count, and depending on where they occur, they can be fatal.

Signs and symptoms Thrombocytopenia

  • Difficulty stopping bleeding from wounds.
  • Nose or periodontal bleeding.
  • Blood in stool and urine.
  • Weakness.
  • Enlarged spleen.
  • Abundant presence of bruises.
  • Petechiae on the limbs.
  • Excessive menstruation.
  • Tiredness.

If you experience any of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately to receive treatment as soon as possible, or if it is profuse and uncontrollable bleeding, go to the ABC Medical Center Emergency Department.

There are several causes for the appearance of this anomaly, including:

  • Chemotherapy.
  • Radiotherapy.
  • Alcoholism.
  • Various types of cancer, such as leukemia.
  • Anemia.
  • Hepatitis C.
  • AIDS.

Diagnosis and treatment Thrombocytopenia

Once your doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination and request blood tests to know the exact number of platelets and confirm the diagnosis.

If they think there is an underlying condition causing thrombocytopenia, they will require additional tests to identify the possible cause.

The treatment to be followed will depend on the severity and the cause of thrombocytopenia. When it comes to mild cases, many times no therapy is needed, but in serious situations, it is necessary to address the cause so that the condition is eliminated.

Among the most frequent treatments are:

  • Transfused platelets.
  • Drugs to raise the number of platelets.
  • Splenectomy (surgical removal of the enlarged spleen).
  • Blood plasma exchange.

At the ABC Medical Center Internal Medicine Department we offer health care services with the highest quality and safety, from prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and monitoring of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies, of chronic-degenerative diseases and acute conditions, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Related centers and departments Thrombocytopenia

Internal Medicine
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory
Cancer Center

Fuentes:

  • medlineplus.gov
  • mayoclinic.org
  • msdmanuals.com
  • healthline.com
  • topdoctors.es
  • medigraphic.com
  • Leiva HJ. Trombocitopenia inducida por heparina. Rev Med Cos Cen. 2009;66(588):147-149.
  • Aguilar-Hidalgo JA, Duarte-Mote J, Ezeta MME, et al. Abordaje integral y práctico de la trombocitopenia en el embarazo. Med Int Mex. 2021;37(4):559-571.
  • Lavaut SK, Castillo GDC. Aspectos genéticos moleculares del síndrome de trombocitopenia con ausencia de radios. Rev Cubana Hematol Inmunol Hemoter. 2020;36(1):1-9.
  • Córdova-Pluma VH, Vega-López CA, Ortega-Chavarría MJ. Trombocitopenia inmunitaria primaria. Med Int Mex. 2020;36(5):660-669.

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    The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.