Platelets are small, irregular shaped cell fragments present in the blood. Platelets are also known as Thrombocytes. A normal platelet count in a healthy individual is between 150,000 and 450,000 per μl (microlitre) of blood. Platelets are responsible for the clotting of blood. Maintaining proper platelet count is critical, as low count could lead to excessive bleeding that could prove fatal. On the other hand, excessive platelets could lead to thrombosis, of blood clots in vessels leading to stroke, heart ailments and could block blood vessels in other parts of the body.
A low platelet count is associated with internal bleeding. This situation is far more dangerous than having a low platelet count.
Causes of Decreased or Low Platelet Count
There are several reasons why some people have low platelet count:
- Medications: Aspirin is known to contribute to the reduction of platelet count. Ibuprofen is also known to lower platelet count, although the effect is not long lasting.
- Anemia: The effect of anemia is of particular concern to women, especially during their menstrual period, wherein their platelet count are severely low. Anemia demands special attention when it begins to rob the body of iron.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy and other similar medical treatments can also cause a reduction in the platelet count.
- Dengue: Common in tropical areas in Asia and Africa, dengue is a mosquito-borne disease and can severely dent the level of platelets in the body.
- Idiopathic (no known cause).
- Autoimmune: There are auto antibodies within the body which destroy the platelets, thus reducing platelet count.
How to Increase Platelet Count
Here are some ways that will help prevent platelet count from dropping:
- Take a lot of vitamin C supplements. You can obtain vitamin C from fruits and vegetables. Because vitamin C is water soluble, it can be easily absorbed by the body and will immediately help in restoring the body’s platelet count.
- Herbal medications are also helpful in restoring platelet count. Pound the herb with pestle and mortar to extract the juice. Although the juice is very bitter and requires a lot of effort downing them, it is worth it. Most people even add sugar to the juice to make it more palatable and easy to drink.
- However, the most common home remedy is to drink the bitter extract from a papaya leaf. Two leaves without the stalk can yield approximately two tablespoons of the extract.
Question: I have tiny red dots on both feet which are recurring. They have not spread above the feet. Is it because of low platelet count. What treatment or diet to treat low platelet count should I follow?
Answer:
You are suffering from thrombocytopenia or a low platelet count.
Thrombocytopenia Origin
- A decreased platelet production within the bone marrow
- An increased peripheral destruction of the platelets
Types of Thrombocytopenia
- Thrombocytopenia could be acute or chronic.
- Acute thrombocytopenia predominantly occurs in children.
- Chronic thrombocytopenia occurs in young adults.
Clinical features
- Easy bruising
- Purpura or red spots
- Epistaxis or nose bleed
- Menorrhagia or prolonged and profuse menstruation
- A major hemorrhage occurs rarely.
Investigations
- A regular blood count must be done
- Sometimes a bone marrow aspirate is helpful.
Treatment for Low Platelet Count
- The initial treatment comprises of prednisolone. But you have to be extremely cautious and the treatment ought to be conducted under the supervision of a specialist. With this treatment, patients show a moderate response, requiring no other treatment.
- In a large number, surgically removing the spleen becomes necessary.
- A transfusion of platelets to bring back the count to normal.
Diet to Increase Platelet Count:
- Avoid all refined and processed foods – sugar, saturated fats, and aerated drinks to avoid low platelet count. Include fresh and organic foods. This will help in stimulating the body’s internal mechanism and increase platelet count.
- Red foods are your key. Tomatoes, plums, watermelons, cherries and berries are loaded with vitamins and minerals and have strong anti-oxidant properties which helps to raise platelet count.
- Related Topics
- How to Increase Platelet Count: Treat Thrombocytopenia (Low Platelet Count)
- Low Blood Platelet Count Causes and Symptoms: How to Increase Platelet Count
- Low Platelet Count During Pregnancy: Gestational Thrombocytopenia Causes, Treatment
- Reducing Elevated Platelet Count: What Causes High Platelet Count
- Food To Increase Sperm Count: Increase Sperm Count Naturally
My son is having clotting problem his age is 3 years, very often we used to do platelet transfusion, can you suggest me how to increase is platelet level with food to avoid transfusion he is very naughty, can you please some advise it will appreciated.
my brothers is suffering from low platelets, some of the red rashes have raised on the body and slightly in log duration, nose bleeding is also there, now he is inside hospital, can you tell what is the diet pattern for my bother.
Hi every body ,
I am admitted in hospital because my blood platelet counts decreasing day by day
05/1/2011 = 10900
6/1/2011 = 81000
7/1/2011 = 68000 not 6800
Now waiting for another report to come
They said first that I am suffering from malaria and now they say I am dengue positive. Please help me to know that what food will increase my platelet counts. Your help will be highly appreciated
I am suffering from ITP since 2007, and its gone year 2009, but its came back year 2010, I am taking prednisone (medrol) 16mg again, but I think it isn’t working, I am having a bruises, red dots and bleeding gums also menstrual flow for 2 weeks now, I am looking forward to try all your advice, I did not go to the doctor since 2007, I don’t want to hear anything that make me down.
I have ITP since 2007, my platelet count still can’t maintain, Last time my platelet count is 1k only, and now I’m suffered with SLE, so, what should I do? How to recover again my platelet? Should I get other supplement?
My sister is suffering from thrombocytopenia. It was confirmed that she has low hemoglobin with a volume of 2gms and 2000 cells of platelets. Doctors suggested inducing blood and special donor platelets. The platelet levels remained the same after a week. My sister is not able to stand or walk. Doctors are confused about this being the case of thrombocytopenia or nutritional anemia.
About a year ago my mom was searching for information on things I could eat to bring up my platelet count because I was missing chemo because they were too low. She found info on papaya leaf extract and my grandfather ordered some from Mountain Meadow Herbs (which is much cheap on amazon.com than on their website). I was very skeptical, but tried it anyway. Putting about 1 tablespoon in my sweet tea every day after chemo.
Usually I would drop to 10,000 – 30,000 platelets per mcL at the end of the chemo week and a week later my body on it’s own or with a transfusion would bring them up to about 60,000 per mcL. After the papaya extract, it would bring them to about 100,000 – 160,000 per mcL. I did find if you’re on a chemo that attacks platelets very badly, don’t take it the week after chemo. It will go even lower sometimes. Take it after your counts have dropped to about as much as they are going to. I don’t know about fresh papaya, we were only able to get hold of pre-made extract. But it seems to work as well as the reports I’ve heard about the fresh leaf extract.
Is ITP a curable disease? I am taking prednisolone for the last four months. When I use it, my platelet count increases. But if I decrease the dosage from 60 m.g. to 50 m.g. or 55 m.g., my platelet count decreases. Should I see any specialist?
My husband has 58 platelet counts and he is suffering from dengue he is admitted in the hospital I want to ask that what kind of food I should give him like in meal? I am giving juices and fruits but what proper meal I can give him in the form of meal?
I was on the medicine for typhoid for five days then I discontinued due to uneasiness I felt after taking the medicine. Recently during some blood test my platelets counts is 440. Is it Ok? Is there anything alarming? On the onset of typhoid 4-11-10, it was 1.80, on 11-11-10 it was 2.21 and on 12-11-10 it is 440. Kindly clarify. God bless you.
My friend is suffering from some kind of viral from last 6 days. Doctor says its not dengue but some different kind of viral. Fever has come down from 104F to 100F, but the main concern are the platelets that have reduced to 52k as of today. He is taking papaya leaf juice and giloi juice, but still platelets have not increased. Can anyone suggest some different remedy to increase platelet count.
I am suffering from a low platelet count for past 1 week with fever. Initially the count was 54k on 1st test, then it came out to about 76k and now on 3rd test the count increased to 77k only. Is this something serious I should treat immediately. Does this have anything to do with Low white blood cell count?
My mother is suffering from Typhoid and Dengue and her Platelets are reducing everyday.
She is hospitalized and blood has been given to get the platelets from the blood.
Even after the transfusion, platelet count is 40,000. Does this mean she is critically ill?
My Father is 47. He had fever for last three days. He is a caterer and a tough job. It requires a lots of stamina and good health. But I think overwork and stress/tension has caused him not only fever ( which goes up and down ) but also a lower platelet count of 70,000. He is not taking much steroids and he is on natural diet of Vitamin C and some berries. Doctor told me that platelet level will get up normally and I do not need to worry. He is also taking papaya leaf juice 1 spoon twice and some other herbal juice. Any other suggestion. Should he give up wheat based diet?
My Father was suffering from fever for 3 days. The fever went up to 102/103 degrees and gradually it came down to 99 within three days. During the blood test it is found that his platelet count has come down to 1.32 lakhs. During next three days the platelet counts has been fluctuating from 1.06 to 1.22. Tests shows he is negative for Typhoid, Dengue and Malaria. He seems to be OK and getting active also. But platelet count is not improving. What could be the cause?
My daughter is 14 years old. She is suffering from ITP (Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia) and her platelets keep on fluctuating even after taking prednisone. The side effect of this medicine is so severe that she has put on a lot of weight and has a swollen face now. Her current platelet count is 57,000 (with prednisone on 20mg). But we did not find any positive result with this treatment. So would you please advice any other safe treatment without any side effects rather than having steroids.
We would be very grateful to you if you advice any safe treatment. If you need all her blood records, her bone marrow report, her history of medical treatment, I can send to you through e-mail.
Some body had suggested to my cousin to have the juice extract of the cauliflower stem.
It is supposedly helpful to increase the platelet counts. 2 spoonfuls a day.
Hope this can be of some help.
Of what I have also read up on the internet, Vitamin C rich foods and a gluten-free diet as also chewing flax seeds should help increase platelet count.
Hi, I just found out I also have ITP. I’m 30 and 14 weeks pregnant. My dr. has me on 60mg of prednisone for 20 days. I’m frightened about all the side effects. My last platelet count was at 9,000. I was wondering if you found a better treatment for this. I really don’t want to continue taking the steroids after the 20 days. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Hi my 1 year old daughter had low platelet count and her first blood test was 51, 83 then 60, a friend of mine told me to try the products Of 4Life transfer factor food supplements, it is quite expensive but I don’t want her to undergo bone marrow aspiration and those high dose of steroids, after 1 week of taking the 4Life transfer factor capsules, her platelet count gone up to 200 and tomorrow I will had her blood tested again and I hope that it is normal, you may also try the products search if it available in your country, we are Filipinos from the Philippines, hope it will help you, too
My husband has multiple Myeloma and is on Revlimid, which decreases platelet count. His platelets were 118,000 earlier. They went down to 98,000 and he got shingles after the local GP gave him the flu shot. He has never had the flu in 25 years. Where in Perth, Western Australia, can I get papaya leaves?
I had a urine infection followed with fever and shivering. I visited a Doctor and he advised me to get my blood test done. My blood test report shows that platelet count is 55,000.
Low platelets is an immune problem. Antibodies destroy platelets. This is called an autoimmune reaction. But oxygen molecules known as “free radicals” also destroy platelets massively. You have to be careful in the use of certain antioxidants. Some of them can lower your platelets even more, while others increase them.
There are many factors that can cause platelets to decrease, but these are the main reasons. Other reasons could be the presence of diseases such as leukemia and chronic liver disease.
If you’re on blood pressure medicines or drugs of any kind, check to see if they lower platelet counts. Diovan does, big time. Also, the flu shot has a .02% of clinical trials research associated with lowering platelet counts and causing havoc on your immune system. (The flu shot will stay in your system for a year, maybe longer). Drink Green Tea, it seems to flush out the system daily. Eat more foods with potassium, Vitamin C, B12, and Folic Acid, Wheat grass.
I have acute lymphocytic leukemia. I am fighting it for 2 and a half years now. I had Chemotherapy radiation and 2 bone marrow transplants. Just relapsed and am searching for info on treating this. My white counts are up to 80 thousand and platelets down in the 30 thousands. Doctors are pretty much giving up on me, but I won’t give up!
My wife is 58 and is suffering from Diverticulai of large intestines. It was diagnosed few years earlier after colonoscopy. She gets infection of these pouches of the intestines and she has to take Cipraflox with Tinadezole for 8 days as a course. Yesterday I got her platelet count done and it was only 78000.
Take plenty of fiber diet as that is beneficial for Diverticular disease and for low platelet count. Wheat grass can help increase the count in a couple of days.
My mother had a platelet count of 70000. She was on Prednisone and her count went up to an acceptable range of 191,000. The MD/hematologist weened her off the Prednisone. Now her count is down to 17,000. I am very worried about her. He restarted her on the Prednisone and wanted her to have a bone marrow transplant, which she refused at this time. She is going to have the Rituxon infusion tomorrow. She does not eat properly. My husband and I bought her some green leafy vegetables and other meats and fruit. We also bought her orange juice. She still eats late at night, one meal a day and she has lost a lot of weight. She also has had a lot of stress and aggravation this past year which also can compromise the immune system. I would like to know how the Rituxon works. I know it has a lot of side effects but we did not tell my mother for fear she would not have the treatment. I know the Doctor is worried, but to his credit he does not show it in front of my mother. Are there any other treatments. I saw orange juice in one of the letters and also wonder if the green leafy vegetables are good for her since they have Vitamin K to help with the clotting.
My relative, aged 58, diagnosed as Hypocellular myelodyspastic syndrome revealed after bone marrow examination. She has general weakness, body ache and dyspnoea since one month along with H/O fever intermittently, burning sensation while passing urine and stool. No past history of major illness, vomiting, bleeding, headache or cough.
Recent platelet count was 19,000/cu mm and Hb 7.8gm. I need a special diet and precautions that need to taken to recover from this condition.
She has terrible cravings for sweets and never has cared for them before. Her platelets have dropped again and I feel that is due to the amount of sweets that she has consumed over a weeks time.
My mother has low platelet count and a dry bone marrow. She was hospitalized with a platelet count of 6000. She was given Prednisone, Immonoglobin and platelets to increase the platelet level. Level went up to 67,000 and overnight dropped down to 30,000. It has been discovered that she has a blockage in the lower part of her heart now. Now they will be giving her some type of drug to repair this. She has been hospitalized for a total of 4 weeks. Does anyone have anything different that was tried on them and worked that we have not tried yet? She loves coffee and I am concerned about it because of the artificial sweetener. She gave the sweetener up and started using sugar. An article read here said sugar is not good for low platelets. What could she try instead and what types of foods could she eat?
Managing low platelet count
A low platelet count develops due to:
- A failure of platelet production within the body, or,
- An increased rate of removal from blood.
Dietary prescriptions
- It is very vital that she avoids all those foods that act as irritants to the system and that are likely to cause an inflammation. Sugar is not good for her. Sugar, refined or denatured grains, saturated fats, junk food, and processed foods need to be avoided totally. These foods will aggravate and further lower the platelet count.
- Incorporate lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in the diet.
- A wonder nutrient to boost platelet count is Omega-3 fatty acid. Ensure that her diet has plenty of foods that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. Excellent sources are: almonds, walnuts, salmon, cod liver oil, and flax seeds.
- Another marvelous food is tomato. Tomatoes are loaded with anti-oxidants. They prevent inflammatory processes within the body, and perk up the immune mechanisms tremendously. It is loaded with Lycopene and Vitamin C. Ascertain that she consumes at least 2 servings daily.
My sister is now suffering with low platelet count. I have consulted the doctor regarding this but they have advised me some medicines. Is there any way to completely and permanently solve this low platelet count problem.
Try eliminating gluten completely!
My son has suffered with extremely low platelet counts and had to take IvIg (Immune Globulin via IV at the hospital) to kick start his platelet production. It was so bad he was treated as often as every 5 days. Eventually, not even that helped. The Cincinnati Children’s Medical Centre got him on Rituxan (or Rituximab) also via IV in the hospital and this would give him an approximate 8 month reprieve, then the treatment would have to be repeated. For Lucas, his T-cells (which are part of your body’s immune system) were AWOL and were attacking his platelets. His spleen was then dismantling these abnormal blood cells.
We recently had some special allergy testing done and found him to be gluten intolerant even though he does not have Celiac disease. People with Celiac for sure are gluten intolerant and people with ITP may be. We took Lucas off gluten and anything with it hidden in (such as soya sauce) and his platelets rebounded fully and he has not had a hospital treatment of any kind for 8 months. Allergies were also found in dairy, yeast and he has to substantially cut down on sugar.
My dad was in remission with ITP but it came back with a vengeance just about a month ago. He is on Prednisone and IVIG treatment, but his platelets stay high for about 4 weeks before they crash again. His Hematologist was pressuring him to take Rituxan, but he refused due to the side effects.
The risk associated with low platelet count is far greater, as there are chances of abnormal bleeding from any orifice of the body. Therefore, one has to take lot of precaution to keep the platelet level high. Apart from the regular medicine, your dad can take home remedies to keep the platelet at a higher level.
Let him take VIT.C, which is available plenty in fruits and vegetables. As it plays a vital role in coagulation of the blood, it increases the platelet count. The common home remedy is the extract of papaya leaf. It has properties to increase the platelet count.
One of the reasons of low platelet count is deficiency of Folic acid and Vitamin B12. Medicines can help BUT check with your doctor first. Consume food items rich in Vitamin C like Gooseberry, Orange, lemon etc. Recovering platelet count to normal level in adults is a slow process. Take medicines under the consultation of a Hematologist.
How many times per day shall the patient take the papaya leaf? How much Volume at one time? My cousin is having a very serious dengue case. His platelet is going down to 9 the lowest and the highest now is 14. A weird symptom is at the morning session the platelet is always the highest of the day then afternoon and night time the platelet will be going down again. Anybody share the experience of dengue?
My brother has dengue fever right now. His platelets have come down to 71. The doctor says that if it goes at 20 he will need blood transfusion. Platelets are lower in the day and higher in the night. The platelet level goes down with the fever. Hence, the higher the fever, the higher the platelet count. But from day 5 onwards fever subsides and the platelet lever subsides too.
Papaya is the fruit of Carica Papaya plant. It is the native to the tropics of America. It is originated from southern Mexico. Central America, northern South America. It is now cultivated in many tropical countries like Brazil, Bangladesh, India, Jamaica, Mexico.
It is also known as ‘paw paw’ or ‘big melon’.
It depends on what is the platelet count, normally it is seen if the platelet count is below 20000 there are chances of bleeding from any orifice due to bruise or trauma to the orifice, there can be excessive bleeding at the time of menstruation. Abnormal bleeding can occur from gum’s , nose, digestive tract, vagina, in low platelet count disorder.
Yes low platelet can lead to heavy vaginal bleeding. This is my most common symptom. I have ITP and and when its low i bleed heavy and as it rises the bleeding practically stops. I am 48. diagnosed since 2004.
Hi Dr, How long should one take papaya leaf juice to get the platelets up. I am currently pregnant 18w and have a platelet count of 25K and I have been taking papaya leaf juice (thrice a week for 3 weeks now ) but it doesn’t seem to work for me. Is there something else naturally that I can try??
Same situation here; problems started after taking a single Cipro pill in 2006 – instant allergic reaction (red bumps on chest), then bruises on both arms appeared a month later. In 2008 alerted to platelets dropping from 80k, last tested in mid-2009 at 11k, mean platelet volume was 11.8. Spleen normal on ultrasound, IVIG had no effect. Recently had first severe petechiae on both lower legs. Seems only a certain volume of platelets can be produced – if they are getting larger, the count will keep decreasing.
Chad,
I’ve had Hodgkin’s for 7 years. Now I was in that 10% that they could not cure. I have found a couple of things that have put my cancer in remission. One is the Lord: pray everyday and stay positive.Two is Turmeric and three is a PH Diet. They say this diet can cure most anything. I hope this helps and You are in my prayers Chad.
Vitamin C can be taken in doses of up to 10000mg per day and upward. That’s ten thousand mg a day. The side effects of too much vitamin c are diarrhea. Vitamin C is dispersed from the body via urine. Vitamin C is a powerful medicine which is now being injected into children and babies in 3rd world countries as a cost effective way of fighting illnesses. The pharmaceutical companies are attempting to prevent the spread of this information as vitamin c acts as a powerful antibiotic.
If you are mega dosing vitamin c, 1000mg an hour for an adult is a guideline. If diarrhea occurs then back off slightly.
Hope this can help.