My doc has noticed 'low-ish' platelets the last 2 blood-works done, so she sent me in for an ultrasound of my spleen & liver (& pancreas)
but everything is within OK factors. Nothing significantly enlarged, or shrunken.
What could be causing my platelets to read low? I don't have the numbers (prolly should ask for them) but they seem to be of a nagging concern to her & I can't figure out why they read low.
Any ideas?

Some causes of low platelets are serious and alarming.

Some are much less so:

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sympto...ets/causes.htm

If you do not have easy bruising,seriously bleeding gums,
anemia, then a less serious cause may be the culprit.

There are many drugs that may cause this too...scroll down that link to the long drug list.

We have a friend whose spleen was eating up his platelets. He had to have it removed. He had severe coronary blockages, and his doctor said the low platelets were keeping him alive! But he finally had to have a quintuple bypass so, they removed the spleen and pumped him full of platelets and did that surgery all at once. I think it is a miracle he survived at all.

Sheesh!! Lotsa reasons to have low platelets. Could take the next few years to test for every problem.
Couldn't find drug list. Found 161 causes that were medical problems and a few meds were included- but no drug list per se.

I've been thinking about your question, Bob.

Now that I am older, sleeping on a problem seems to work better for me

In any case, SSRI drugs are known to lower platelets.
http://www.healthsentinel.com/joomla...inal&Itemid=24

Tramadol has this action, SSRI type action, and since you use a high dose it might be the culprit.

Lyrica also has a decreased platelet count listed:
from http://www.rxlist.com/lyrica-drug.htm

Keep in mind this above insert copy was done with normal doses, for a short time. You have been on high dose for much longer than any study.

So you need to watch for signs of anemia...which would indicate internal bleeding issues. Looking at nail beds and your eye membranes is a quick way to decide if you need to see your doctor. If either one get really pale, go in for some testing and evaluation.

Hmmmmm !
Food for thought
I'm copying and pasting these links in an email to my PCP
Thanks, MrsD.

Do get the results from your CBC. It should have the WBC differential. It would be good to compare the current results to at least the past two+ CBCs to see if there's a trend. You should also request a b12, folate, b6, zinc and copper blood test if you haven't had one in a while. These nutrients play a pretty critical role in blood production. When you say low-ish platelets do you mean low normal, just below normal or pretty low?

I agree with mrsD to look at the medicines. Even Tylenol can effect your platelet count.