A dumb question about platelets and clotting

[gassy]

I have low platelets, 118 a few weeks ago. All of my other stuff is within normal range. My Dr. said low platelets can make it difficult for my blood to clot and that my blood is thin. She said there is not much I can do to raise it, she thinks I am on "the patch" and not 125mg test and 100mg deca a week. With all the heart attack and clotting posts lately- Should I be happy that I have low platelets? and my blood is less likely to clot? or does this even apply to the type of clot that can give you a heart attack or stroke?; or does this just mean if I get a cut on my skin it will bleed more? Maldorf thank you for all your knowledge, I trust you more than my family Dr when it comes to this subject

 

[dr intensity]

look for signs like,

blood in the urine(or unusually dark coloured urine), or blood in stools....
bleeding gums...
nose bleeding..
small red spots on your skin...

then report back to your doc

as these signs are indicative of thrombocytopenia....a blood clottin disorder...

 

[maldorf]

I am not aware of how AAS affect platelet levels. I do know that AAS is shown to increase the chances of clotting. Here is a good link that shows the steps of the clotting cascade. You will see its quite complex.
Blood Coagulation

This is why I now see a hematologist, because I was later tested to have factor 2.

From another study about how they affect the cascade and even somehow encourage faster sticking together of platelets.

Vanberg P. Androgenic anabolic steroid abuse and the cardiovascular system. Handb Exp Pharmacol :411 (2010)

" Furthermore, AAS confer an enhanced pro-thrombotic state, most prominently through an activation of platelet aggregability. The concomitant effects on the humoral coagulation cascade are more complex and include activation of both pro-coagulatory and fibrinolytic pathways."

Fibrin is a sticky substance that act like glue to stick the platelets together. You see it coagulate in blood that sits for awhile. If you play with your blood inbetween two finger you can see the tiny little strands stretch inbetween your fingers.
So frustratingly its not as simple as how high is your platelet count. It goes way beyond that. Surely though, having high platelet counts is dangerous, but having a low one is not going to mean you wont get a clot. MY PLATELET COUNT WAS LOW THE DAY I HAD MY BLOOD CLOT/HEART ATTACK AND THE LEVELS ARE STILL LOW TODAY. I guess its just genetics. IMO, the only person that can really answer these sorts of questions would be a board certified hemotologist. i dont think my family doc would even try, and even my cardiologist(very well known around here) referred me to a hemo.

 

[leegee38]

Low platelet count is not a good thing. Stuff like aspirin and fish oil makes your platelets less sticky and less likely to clot but they don't lower the number of them. As Maldorf suggested it would be wise to see a specialist and be honest with him about everything you take including supplements. Good luck!

 

[myosin]

Not TOO Bad...

Hi Gassy, I meant to reply earlier... "low normal" for platelets is 150, "high normal" is 450.

At 118, that really isn't TOOO bad. It COULD be that is YOUR norm. Bleeding time might be a little prolonged, but not too significant.

With that said though- yes, agreeing with everyone else... simply ask for your doctor to look into your case a little further. Besides testing for a factor deficiency, he can also examine your lifestyle if it affecting your levels... certain drugs and alcohol can either decrease production or increase destruction.

I'm not trying to lessen the importance of this, it's just that in the medical field there is "text-book normal", "patient-normal" and very related to that, "normal variance." Technically, you are thrombocytopenic (under 150), BUT again, I've seen so people with lab values slightly higher or lower than "normal" but it's normal for them.

Don't freak out. Don't take any aspirin yet. Talk with your Doc. Yes, you may need some lifestyle changes/cautions but your Doc should clarify all these for you.

 

[gassy]

Thanks for the replies. I have ALWAYS gotten nose bleeds in the winter when taking a very hot steamy shower. I will speak to a cardiologist and then maybe a hemotologist about this.

 

[Kaladryn]

I know for a fact that when I'm on Deca and I cut myself, I bleed a lot more. I also see an inverse relationship between Hematorcrit and Platelets when I'm on HRT. I'm guessing it's the body trying to protect itself.

The one time I got my Hematrocrit up to 54, my platelets where the lowest they have ever been.

 

[maldorf]

I know for a fact that when I'm on Deca and I cut myself, I bleed a lot more. I also see an inverse relationship between Hematorcrit and Platelets when I'm on HRT. I'm guessing it's the body trying to protect itself.

The one time I got my Hematrocrit up to 54, my platelets where the lowest they have ever been.

EXACTLY. I was thinking that too. I would see it as homeostasis,your body is trying to regulate clotting. Probably not a good idea to have platelets in the normal range when your HCT is that high if your body has gone and done that on its own. Right now my HCT is about 53 and my platelets are about the same as the guy that posted.

To the original poster, what was your HCT/HMG? Wonder if its borderline high.

 

[gassy]

Hemoglobin was 17.6 and hematocrit was 53.2. I guess both of those a little high. This is all new too me, I only ever cared about lipids and liver and kidney values.

 

[maldorf]

Hemoglobin was 17.6 and hematocrit was 53.2. I guess both of those a little high. This is all new too me, I only ever cared about lipids and liver and kidney values.

yep, those are about the highest you can go and be in range. once you get up to around 54 or 55 they wont even take your blood at the bank without a doctor's prescription. they want to be sure your health is in check.