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Avatar universal

cause of low platelets

I had NAFLD or NASH diagnosed on October  2012 and during that time my ast was 95, alt 186.
Then, I exercised and lost weight and my liver enzymes improved.
However, I have platelets  on the lower range and I do not now if it is genetic, if it is due to my b12 being on the lower range also, if it is due to diet or if it is due NAFDL/NASH.

The recent tests are as follows:

test1 (april 2013): ast: 34, alt:45, platelet: 161
test2 (march 2014): ast: 33, alt:37, platelet: 172
test3 (may 2014): ast: 33, alt:27, platelet: 148
test4 (september  12, 2014): ast: 34, alt:32, platelet: 147
test5(september  19,  2014):  ast 35, alt:36, platelet: 170

ct scan of liver on february, 2013:  normal liver and normal spleen
ecography of liver on september 19, 2104: normal liver and normal spleen.

based on the fact that my spleen is not enlarged, can I conclude that my platelet count being on the lower range is
not due to liver disease
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Avatar universal
The normal platelet range that I have seen is 150,000 - 400,000.
Yours has been under 150,000 on 2 occasions but just barely under the  low normal.

I don't know your history but, while your platelet count is on the low side of normal, it has been for the most part within the normal range.

Low platelet count is caused by one of three things.

1) Decreased production due to a bone marrow issue.

2) Increased platelet destruction

3) Increased splenic sequestration


You mentioned low B12.

"...Deficiency of vitamin B12 and folic acid can result in low platelet production by the bone marrow...."

http://www.medicinenet.com/thrombocytopenia_low_platelet_count/page2.htm
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Mean platelet volume in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Ozhan H1, Aydin M, Yazici M, Yazgan O, Basar C, Gungor A, Onder E.
Author information
Abstract

Mean platelet volume (MPV) is an indicator of platelet activation. Platelet activation and aggregation are central processes in the pathophysiology of coronary heart disease. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is present up to one-third of the general population and the majority of patients with cardio-metabolic risk factors such as abdominal obesity, type 2 diabetes and other components of the metabolic syndrome (MS). The aim of the current study was to investigate the MPV in patients who had NAFLD. MPV values of the patients with NAFLD and of the patients without fatty liver disease were compared. NAFLD patients had significantly higher body mass index compared to the control cases. Among biochemical variables, fasting plasma glucose and triglyceride were significantly higher in the NAFLD group. NAFLD cases also had lower platelet count and higher MPV (10.43 +/- 1.14 vs. 9.09 +/- 1.25; p < 0.001, respectively). MPV was positively correlated with AST (r: 0.186, p < 0.042), ALT level (r: 0.279; p 0.002) and the presence of NAFLD (0.492; p < 0.001) but negatively correlated with platelet number (r: -0.26; p 0.004) and creatinine (r: -0.255; p 0.005). In logistic regression analysis (age, gender, NAFLD, body mass index, high-density lipid (HDL) cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride and fasting plasma glucose were used as covariates) only NAFLD was found to be the independent predictor of MPV (Odds Ratio (OR) 21.98) [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.404-201.048; p: 0.006]. We have shown for the first time in the literature that, patients with NAFLD have higher MPV. It may have prognostic value in NAFLD patients indicating a possible cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk increase.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19947902
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
2 days ago I checked my liver and spleen with ecography and  doctor said both are normal.
Helpful - 0
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