“Low platelet count?”
Recently I got a CBC because I experience abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding and it was revealed I have a low platelet count. I want to see another doctor to talk about this. What could it mean?
4 Answers
The risk of bleeding and the severity of bleeding depends on how low the platelet count is. If it's not very low, then it may not be directly responsible for heavy periods. However, a low platelet count almost always needs to be worked up because it could possibly reflect an underlying illness.
Clarence Adoo
Clarence Adoo
It could many any number of things. Until you are fully worked up by a hematologist (a physician who specializes in blood disorders), I would not worry too much. It could have also just been an inaccurate sample that was taken.
Platelets are small particles in your blood, and they are part of a complex clot forming system (coagulation) to stop bleeding. Having a low platelet count can increase the bleeding time, leading to heavy menses.There are many possible causes of low platelet count, and a hematologist can identify the cause and can determine if treatment is needed. It should also be noted that there are many other possible causes of heavy menses as well.
Vinh-Linh Nguyen, M.D.
Vinh-Linh Nguyen, M.D.
any other clinical findings or history;has there been a previous normal blood count is patient taking any drugs and how low is the platelet count has anybody review a blood smear
