micci@nvuxg.UUCP (D M Dennee) (10/22/85)
I'm going to a Hematologist to see why my platelet count is low. Does anyone know what sort of tests he'll do and what he might be looking for? My Dr. recommended me to go, and I'd like to know what to expect. Micci Dennee - !nvuxg!micci
jak@mtgzz.UUCP (j.a.kushner) (10/23/85)
Low platelets may have many causes, both primary and secondary. The test that may lead to a diagnosis include: a CBC, which on the stained blood slide may show decreased number of platelets; a platelet count, which will indicate the absolute number of circulating platelets per unit volume; then, following these 'standard tests, you may have platelet function tests or 'bleeding/clotting' tests. Platelet function tests may only be used if your platelet count is marginal but you have bleeding problems (glass adsorption, or plat. aggregation tests). A touniquet test may differentiate a platelet problem from a vascular integrity problem, as may be caused by a vitamin C deficiency. Clotting tests which require normal platelet number and function include prothrombin times and APTT's, as preliminary studies. There may be underlying causes of low platelets, not really related to the platelets. There may be an immunologic condition leading to antibody production against your platelets, causing the to be consumed more rapidly than normal. This may also occur in some clotting disorders (hypercoagulation). They may be being sequestered in the spleen, a common 'hiding' place for those little things. There are many reasons that your platelets may be low (both physiological and technical). Rather than continuing on like this, I would suggest that you discuss this with your doctor, or get a not-too-technical hematology book from a nearby medical library. Some really are understandabe by the general public. Good Luck. Jeff (...ihnp4!mtgzz!jak)
jca@drutx.UUCP (ArnsonJC) (10/24/85)
Decreased production of platelets in a normally healthy adult is often due to toxic agents, such as certain antibiotics, most notably penicillin, chloramphenicol, and tetracyclines. Other common ones, but less frequent are streptomycin, sulfonamides, and the list goes on -- insecticides: DDT and parathion; misc: hair dyes, carbon tet., radiation, bismuth. These are usually associated with bone marrow abnormalitites caused by the toxic agents. Immune mechanisms and consumption of platelets are very often caused by various diseases. The list here is quite long, and some of the diseases are quite exotic. A somewhat readable book is @u(Hematology) edited by William Beck. Read the chapter on platelet disorders. -- jill c. arnson ihnp4!drutx!jca AT&A IS, Denver (303)538-4800 "May your eyries receive you at your journeys end." Tolkien