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.

Bob you wouldnt expect anything less than having a test result that could have hundreds of causes. Those of us with PN just seem to be blessed over and over this way. Nothing simple, nothing easy to determine.

Dunno... I'll have to get a copy with numbers. My PCP just has said that:
".....and your platelets are a little ow, so go get blood drawn. Here's the order....."
...then I went for an ultrasound and she said everything looked OK on the results (and so did the tech at the time of the test).
I'm waiting to see what she has mailed me, in hard copy.

UNTIL you get results and can see them and try and interpret them for yourself!
I would NOT be surprised IF you see a correlation to something?- or to something else in your life given other med issues.
I get to stutter: BUT BUT BUT!!! at least 3 times a year to 3 of my baker's dozen docs! Which 3? Rotates each and every year.... all wanting to to either extensive/and-or/invasive tests = expensive? And usually unneeded IF they'd only HEAR ALL of what is being Said/Communicated to them. Each doc is looking at ME from a completely different perspective.
We all go to docs wishing for the 'AH-HA!' moments? And always come out disappointed or more confused. IT's part and parcel of the PN 'beast'!
So, we are Human, docs are human? We just have to repeat our concerns more tightly and consistently and emphatically each time from here till the cows fart! I'll be polite and go no further on THAT aspect?
Hugs to you and I'll cross fingers that it's just an 'anomoly' of some sort!
's !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - j

If only they'd find something that's 'fixable', maybe I'd feel
as if we were making progress of sorts. But Nooooo.... that's too easy.