Guest guest Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 I was asked about platelets and bruising. Here is the answer, right from the Merck Manual. Symptoms Bleeding in the skin may be the first sign that the platelet count is low. Often, many tiny red dots appear in the skin on the lower legs. People may bruise easily. Slight injuries sometimes cause small scattered bruises. The gums may bleed, and blood may appear in the stool or urine. Bleeding due to injuries may be hard to stop. Bleeding worsens as the platelet count decreases. When the count is below 20,000, bleeding in the digestive tract or brain may occur even when there is no injury. This bleeding may be life threatening. Diagnosis Doctors suspect a low platelet count when people bruise easily and bleed excessively. Blood tests are done to determine the platelet count and thus confirm the diagnosis. Using an electronic counter to count platelets helps determine how low the platelet count is. The time blood takes to clot (bleeding time) may also be measured. Sometimes a low platelet count is detected when blood tests are done for other reasons. People who have a disorder that can reduce the platelet count should periodically have blood tests. http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual_ha/sec3/ch49/ch49c.html Blessings, Lottie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2009 Report Share Posted October 28, 2009 Lottie, Just read through your e-mail below and saw your comment about your brother. Hugs to you and your family--I'm so sorry he is not doing well. Beth [ ] Platelets  Hi Ladies, Beth, Definitely get those dizzy spells checked out. That sounds scary!! Awesome on the rock solid labs. So that can't be it. Let us know ok? __________________________________ Dear Jackie, My platelets were 65k yesterday and my Hgb was 9.1, just a little shy of getting a blood transfusion. They have never taken me off SKI because of low platelets and they have plummeted to the 30's. Maybe it's the protocol, but it would seem that they would all be consistent. Have a nice trip to Houston, I think they will see a drop in their temperature in the next day or so, but that should not be a problem for you. I'll be there the Monday after Thanksgiving. You are probably enjoying your holiday from the drugs, but I never felt comfortable when that happened, even though I felt " free " . We will be leaving for Biloxi early tomorrow by caravan, because my brother is very ill. He will be 88 in December. I tried to talk to him in the hospital yesterday, but all I heard was heavy breathing. His poor wife is freaking out and his sons are flying in today. No one answers the phone in his room or at home, so I am really concerned. Take care and I hope you get good news at MDACC. I still see you as I remember you the first time I saw you, you were standing tall in the lobby wondering what was going to happen next and I always see you as a fortress, standing staunchly and tall, you will get through this, you have enough faith for all of us. Hands & hearts xoxo Lottie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 2009 Report Share Posted October 29, 2009 Lottie- Please know you are in our thoughts. C ________________________________ From: " bethgalliart@... " <bethgalliart@...> Sent: Wed, October 28, 2009 1:03:33 PM Subject: Re: [ ] Platelets Lottie, Just read through your e-mail below and saw your comment about your brother. Hugs to you and your family--I'm so sorry he is not doing well. Beth [ ] Platelets Hi Ladies, Beth, Definitely get those dizzy spells checked out. That sounds scary!! Awesome on the rock solid labs. So that can't be it. Let us know ok? ____________ _________ _________ ____ Dear Jackie, My platelets were 65k yesterday and my Hgb was 9.1, just a little shy of getting a blood transfusion. They have never taken me off SKI because of low platelets and they have plummeted to the 30's. Maybe it's the protocol, but it would seem that they would all be consistent. Have a nice trip to Houston, I think they will see a drop in their temperature in the next day or so, but that should not be a problem for you. I'll be there the Monday after Thanksgiving. You are probably enjoying your holiday from the drugs, but I never felt comfortable when that happened, even though I felt " free " . We will be leaving for Biloxi early tomorrow by caravan, because my brother is very ill. He will be 88 in December. I tried to talk to him in the hospital yesterday, but all I heard was heavy breathing. His poor wife is freaking out and his sons are flying in today. No one answers the phone in his room or at home, so I am really concerned. Take care and I hope you get good news at MDACC. I still see you as I remember you the first time I saw you, you were standing tall in the lobby wondering what was going to happen next and I always see you as a fortress, standing staunchly and tall, you will get through this, you have enough faith for all of us. Hands & hearts xoxo Lottie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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