Low platelet counts-what does this mean

[Interestedandconcerned]

There is much discussion about low platelet counts but no one actually comments on their personal experience with the symptoms i.e what are they, at what levels do tey occur and how concerned are you about them.

[48weeks]

When I went on triple therapy with Incivek my platelets fell out of range down to 60 or so.  The lab report said they were hard to count because of clumping. Months after finding out I relapsed, my platelets were back in the normal range. A year after I relapsed I am now going into my 7th week of Harvoni and my platelets are still in the normal range.  I guess what I'm saying is that sometimes the lab reports come back saying they're low, but it may be due to clumping.

[Livelife777]

Gabby. Sorry you are having difficulties.  I would go to the top of this page and post a question for the group in the green box.  If you give us your genotype we can better assist you with which treatment would be recommended for your particular situation.
Drs can be ********at times and not really tell us what is going on with our health.  This is why you must advocate for yourself as they are so over extended in their practice without patient responsibility.
It honestly doesn't really matter where you picked up this virus, only that you should get treated for it.  Most of us have no idea where we got it either and in the scheme of things it doesn't really matter.
Stage 4 is Cirrhosis.  You can live a very normal healthy life but need to take care of yourself.  Eliminating Hep C will help.  You must not drink alcohol or do drugs as this will further damage your liver.
Know this all seems scary but you will be OK.  We have all worried as well but with knowledge comes understanding.  Read what you can about the disease so that you can learn how to manage it.  
We are here for you.
.....Kim

[gabby35217]

I have a PLT count of 69.I was gonna go into a hep c study and they wouldn't take me.I never knew all these symbols.Now i see my plt count was 68 last year I always get a copy even tho I cant understand them.My question is why my Dr that took these test didn't tell me.Only now do I understand them.I have several problems fractured disc ptsd from car wrecks.On the HEPC front I guess when I had my wreck I got bad blood or I just dont know.It looks like HEP C treatment now.Does anyone know which one to take.Ive heard the peg ribavarin was awful.What is stage 4 cihorris.Life Expectency?

[HectorSF]

To back up what Dave said, I have had a low platelet count for about 4 years now. Usually in the 40,000 - 70,000 range. There are no symptoms that you feel. The function of the platelets is to clot blood. They aggregate and release factors which promote the blood coagulation around a bleeding area.

A low platelet count is is most relevant when it comes to liver disease in that it is usually the first indication of stage 4 cirrhosis. This is how it works....

Blood flows from the spleen..... through the portal vein.... then through the liver.
Scar tissue in the liver (cirrhosis) can interfere with that blood flow causing pressure to build up in the portal vein (portal hypertension), and the spleen to enlarge (splenomegaly).
As the spleen enlarges, it traps platelets. (The amount of platelets in the bloodstream is reduced. The spleen is busy trapping them.)
So usually--- people with cirrhosis end up having a problem with portal hypertension and an enlarged spleen, and a reduced platelet count in the bloodstream. As time goes by, the liver may try to repair itself by growing new cells. If there is alot of scar tissue already present--- the new cells grow between scar tissue (and result in abnormal nodules). (The nodules and scar tissue can further interfere with blood flow through the liver.) :-(
So over time people with advanced cirrhosis can end up having a problem with more and more abnormal nodules and scar tissue forming..... which interferes even more with blood flow through the liver.....which makes the spleen continue to enlarge....and the platelet count continue to drop.

At times when my platelet counts got very low - under 20,000 I would get constant nose bleeds and brushing my teeth would cause excessive bleeding for a long time. I also developed bruising under my skin mostly on my arms especially if I just lightly it them against something. Other then that it is usually a minor issue, except that cirrhotics who treat their hepatitis C may develop very low platelet counts due to the effects of peg-interferon which is known to reduce platelet counts. In this case a cirrhotic may need platelet transfusions to raise their count so they can successfully complete treatment.

Hector

[spectda]

Risk of Bleeding is based on the Platelet Count
100,000 - 149,000 cells/mm3 Little to no risk of bleeding
50,000 - 99,000 cells/mm3 Increased risk of bleeding with injury
20,000 - 49,000 cells/mm3 Risk of bleeding increased without injury
10,000 - 19,000 cells/mm3 Risk of bleeding greatly increased
Less than 10,000 Spontaneous bleeding likely

[spectda]

I guess I kind of misspoke thinking of symptoms as your feeling poorly.Here is some info from mayo clinic:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/thrombocytopenia/DS00691/DSECTION=symptoms

Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
Petechiae
Signs and symptoms of thrombocytopenia may include:

Easy or excessive bruising
Superficial bleeding into the skin that appears as a rash of pinpoint-sized reddish-purple spots (petechiae), usually on the lower legs
Prolonged bleeding from cuts
Spontaneous bleeding from your gums or nose
Blood in urine or stools
Unusually heavy menstrual flows
Profuse bleeding during surgery or after dental work

[spectda]

That's because there are no symptoms of low platelets, they protect you from serious bleeding. As your platelet count gets low your risk for bleeding from injuries goes up and below 20,000 there is a risk for spontaneous internal bleeding. How low are your platelets?
-Dave