Low Platelet Count (Thrombocytopenia) in Brief

Some Facts about Platelets:

Platelets are - a component of the blood, in the Plasma along with
the white & red blood cells.
Production in the Bone Marrow.
Function - to stop bleeding by clumping and clogging blood vessel
injuries.
Ideal count - between 1.5 lakhs to 4.5 lakhs per microliter.
Its life up to 10 days.
Causes of Low Platelet Count:
Heredity
Bone Marrow not forming enough Platelets.
The body breaking down its platelets too fast
Why

does Bone Marrow not form enough Platelets?

Bone marrow disorders such as not producing enough blood cells,
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Folate / Iron deficiency
Some types of Anemia
Viral infections such as HIV or Hepatitis C
Cancers, such as Leukemia etc
Exposure to chemotherapy or radiation
Exposure to toxic chemicals such as pesticides, arsenic, benzene
etc.

Why does body break down its platelets too fast?

Certain medications such as diuretics, anti-seizure

medications, quinine, sulfa-containing antibiotics and
anticonvulsants

Autoimmune disorders such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis

(mostly affects children)

Pregnancy

Bacterial infection in blood or Kidney disorder, both due

to eating raw or undercooked meat

If small blood clots suddenly form throughout your

body, using up large numbers of platelets

Hypersplenism (Enlarged spleen) could trap a lot of

Platelets causing a decrease in platelets circulation.
Spleen is located towards the back under the left ribs.
It is difficult to self-examine and needs experienced hands to
detect.
o Next step blood tests or Imaging (Ultrasound / CT Scan / MRI
etc)
o Common symptoms of an enlarged spleen: Being unable to eat a large
meal. Feeling discomfort, fullness, or pain on the upper left side of the
abdomen which may spread to left shoulder.
o
o

Symptoms indicating Low Platelet Count:

1. Bruising / Rashes (Red, purple, or brown) with or without dots
2. Bleeding in Nose or Gums
3. Excessive bleeding from wounds
4. Jaundice
o In severe cases, internal bleeding may occur (Urine, Stool or
Rectum)
o Rare Cases Bleeding in Brain (if count falls below 20,000)
and experience headaches or neurological problems.
Care to take:
1. Avoid sports
2. Avoid activities with risk of bleeding or bruising
3. Avoid raw vegetables.
4. Use caution with medications, especially Aspirin and Ibuprofen
How to increase Platelet Count naturally?
1. Papaya (both ripe fruit & its leaves extract without stalk)
2. Wheatgrass

it is high in chlorophyll
its molecular structure is almost identical to the hemoglobin
molecule in human blood
It increases platelet count, hemoglobin, red blood cells & also
white blood cells.
Drink cup of wheatgrass juice mixed with a little lemon juice
daily

3. Vitamin A

Carrots, kale, sweet potatoes, pumpkin etc.

Drink carrot juice
Drink glass of fresh pumpkin juice with little honey 2-3 times a
day.

4. Vitamin B9 or Folate
Asparagus, orange juice, spinach & fortified cereals.
5. Vitamin B12

Lean protein foods - fish, chicken, oysters.

6. Vitamin C

Lemons, oranges, tomatoes, cantaloupes, kiwi, spinach, bell

peppers, Amla, broccoli etc
Amla is very rich in Vitamin C
Eat 3 - 4 Amla on an empty stomach every morning or
Mix 2 tablespoons each of Amla juice and honey. Drink it 2
or 3 times daily.
Our body requires 400 - 2,000 mg of vitamin C per day,
depending on our age and overall health.

7. Vitamin K

Spinach, kale, eggs, liver

Boil 4-5 leaves of fresh spinach in 2 cups of water for a few
minutes. Cool & and mix in 1/2 glass of tomato juice. Drink it 3
times a day

8. Beetroot

It is high in natural antioxidant and hemostatic properties

Drink 1 tablespoon of fresh beetroot juice 3 times daily.
Mix 3 tablespoons of beetroot juice in a glass of carrot juice and
drink it 2 times daily

9. Pomegranates are rich in many vitamins.

10.

Red guavas

11.

Aloe vera purifies blood, so include it in diet.

12.

Dairy

13.

Calcium along with vitamin K can help regenerate platelets

In contrast, for some, it could lead to increase in mucus
formation which may aggravate autoimmune diseases & hamper
platelet count.

Cod liver oil & flax seed oil.

It helps strengthen immune system.

14.

Sesame Oil

It reduces free radical damage, inflammation in the body and

helps improve blood circulation
Drink 1 - 2 tablespoons of high-quality sesame oil twice a day.
Rub some sesame oil externally on lymph node areas several
times daily to help increase platelet counts.
Use cold-pressed sesame oil for cooking

15.

Water 8-10 glass at room temperature.

16.

Exercise light exercise, walking etc will improve blood

circulation & immune system leading to increase in platelets.

17.

Sleep get 8 10 hours good sleep.