Thrombocytopenia: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Thrombocytopenia is a blood disorder that can occur at any time during a person’s life. Pregnant women who are closer to their delivery date are oddly at a higher risk of developing this condition.
The condition results in a drastic reduction of blood platelets that hamper the body’s ability to make blood clots. These clots are critical to stopping the flow of blood from wounds or cuts. Learn all about the disease in the blog and how an Affordable phlebotomy service VA can help identify it.
Causes of Thrombocytopenia
Thrombocytopenia can be caused by several things such as:
- Consuming unhealthy amounts of alcohol daily
- When your body starts attacking normal cells due to an autoimmune disease such as lupus.
- Problems with the bone marrow such as myelodysplastic syndromes, lymphomas, leukemia, and aplastic anemia
- Radiation therapy and chemotherapy
- Exposure to harmful chemicals such as pesticides, benzene and Arsenic
- Developing an enlarged spleen due to Gaucher disease
- Side effects from medications to treat heart problems, seizures, and bacterial infections
- Due to viruses, such as HIV, EBV, CMV, hepatitis C
Symptoms to Look Out For
- Blood in the rectum or gums
- Tarry-looking stool
- Blood in vomit or urine
- Excessive menstrual bleeding
- Brown, red or purple bruises on the body
What Should You Do?
If you have been noticing the above-mentioned symptoms, then you must schedule a blood clot test or complete blood count test immediately. These tests will help check the levels of red and white blood cells and platelets in the blood.
They will also tell you about the time it takes for clotting to occur. If you are finding it difficult to find the time to go to a laboratory, then we recommend you employ the services of a mobile phlebotomy services Baltimore.
How is Thrombocytopenia Treated?
If thrombocytopenia is causing significant problems, then the medical practitioner handling your case will try to find the root cause behind the reduction in platelets and treat the underlying cause. Based on the severity of the condition, they may even recommend a blood transfusion if platelets fall to dangerously low levels.
Steroids such as dexamethasone or prednisone can also help improve the production of platelets. In case the condition doesn’t improve, the spleen might have to be removed.
Reliable Blood Draw Services in Northern Virginia
Searching for an affordable mobile laboratory service provider in Northern VA? Phlebotomy on Wheels is your hassle-free solution. Our professional staff offers home blood Draw services VA at affordable rates.
Our home phlebotomy services are available across Northern Virginia, including Fairfax and Alexandria, and help to fast-track the diagnosis process for complicated diseases such as thrombocytopenia. See what our customers have to say about it here.
Schedule an appointment with us today.