Acute health events in adult patients with genetic disorders: The Marshfield Epidemiologic Study Area
Anemia And Thrombocytopenia: Causes And Treatment - Medical News Today
Anemia and thrombocytopenia cause low levels of red blood cells and platelets. This can cause fatigue and bleeding problems.
Thrombocytopenia is a low platelet count. Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are small blood cells that bone marrow produces. Platelets help the blood clot in order to heal wounds. Low platelet counts can cause bleeding problems.
Anemia is a lack of healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body, so anemia may cause people to experience fatigue or shortness of breath.
This article will describe anemia and thrombocytopenia in more detail and explore a range of medical conditions that may cause them to occur together.
People with mild cases of thrombocytopenia may not notice any symptoms, and doctors often discover it through a routine blood test.
If thrombocytopenia does cause symptoms, people may notice signs of abnormal bleeding, such as:
These symptoms may appear suddenly or gradually over time.
Symptoms of anemia may include:
People with mild anemia may not experience symptoms.
According to a 2021 case report, various medical conditions can cause anemia and thrombocytopenia. These include:
Thrombotic microangiopathy
Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a syndrome in which people experience low platelet counts, hemolytic anemia, and organ damage.
Hemolytic anemia occurs when the breakdown of red blood cells happens faster than the body can create them.
Organ damage in TMA occurs through tiny blood clots forming in blood vessels. This commonly affects the kidneys but may affect any organ.
Bone marrow disorders
Bone marrow disorders such as leukemia may cause anemia and thrombocytopenia. Leukemia causes damage to bone marrow and destroys stem cells, which are essential for healthy blood cells.
Aplastic anemia
Aplastic anemia is a rare but serious blood disorder. It occurs if the bone marrow cannot make enough new blood cells.
Evans syndrome
Evans syndrome is a rare autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks red blood cells and platelets.
Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
People with PNH have impaired bone marrow function, which may also cause low levels of blood cells and platelets.
Other causes
Other causes of thrombocytopenia include:
To diagnose anemia and thrombocytopenia, doctors may take a full medical history, assess symptoms, and carry out a physical exam to look for certain signs, such as bleeding or bruising.
Thrombocytopenia
To diagnose thrombocytopenia, a doctor may carry out tests such as the following:
In adults, a typical platelet level is 150,000 – 450,000 platelets per microliter (mcL) of blood. Platelet levels lower than this are atypical.
Anemia
A doctor will also use results from a complete blood count to diagnose anemia. Results that may indicate anemia include:
The outlook for people with anemia and thrombocytopenia may depend on the underlying cause.
People with mild thrombocytopenia may not require treatment, as people do not require a full platelet count for the body to safely prevent excessive bleeding, including from serious injuries.
However, prompt treatment of severe thrombocytopenia is essential to prevent complications.
For mild anemia, treatment with supplements may resolve the condition. In more severe cases, blood transfusions can rapidly increase red blood cell levels.
If a chronic health condition causes anemia and thrombocytopenia, people may require long-term treatment to manage the condition.
Anemia Rash: Symptoms, Images, And Treatment - Medical News Today
Anemia rash, while not a medical term, can sometimes refer to small red pinpricks on the skin, often on the lower legs. Along with a rash, people may experience bruises and fatigue.
These pinpricks are usually called petechiae or purpura, depending on their size. It is most commonly attributed to a low platelet count in aplastic anemia or with certain infections.
This article explores many reasons for a low platelet count and the accompanying rash.
Some types of anemia can hinder or even stop blood cell production in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is a spongy tissue inside the bones that produces stem cells. These stem cells are red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Platelets are blood cell fragments that stick together and stop bleeding. When platelet counts are too low, the blood cannot clot normally, and this causes superficial bleeding under the skin.
The most common is aplastic anemia, also known as bone marrow failure. A person can develop or inherit aplastic anemia.
Aplastic anemia occurs when there is a failure in the bone marrow.
Acquired aplastic anemia
Aplastic anemia is a rare, serious blood disorder in which the bone marrow stops producing platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells. It mainly affects adolescents, young adults, and the elderly.
Bone marrow damage can be temporary or permanent and can occur due to.
This damage can cause aplastic anemia to develop. If the condition's cause is unknown, it is idiopathic aplastic anemia.
A low platelet count can make a person more susceptible to bruising and cause petechiae.
Inherited aplastic anemia
Several rare, inherited conditions may cause aplastic anemia. The most common of these is Fanconi anemia.
Approximately 90% of people with Fanconi anemia will eventually experience bone marrow failure, which may cause a rash. Aplastic anemia is usually just one of the problems a person affected by Fanconi anemia will experience.
Iron deficiency anemia
Iron deficiency anemia can cause the skin to become itchy (pruritus) and susceptible to bruising. Scratched and bruised skin can cause a rash-like appearance.
As the name implies, iron deficiency anemia occurs when a person has insufficient iron. This may occur due to a poor diet, blood loss, or side effects from medication.
However, unlike aplastic anemia, iron deficiency anemia does not affect platelets in the blood, but rather the production of red blood cells.
A doctor will aim to identify and treat the underlying cause of the anemia rash using medical history, a physical examination, and test results.
Establishing a medical history is important to assess potential causes of bone marrow damage, especially in cases of acquired aplastic anemia. These causes may include any of the following:
A doctor will look for signs of bleeding under the skin and may feel the person's abdomen to determine whether they have an enlarged spleen. They will also ask about any previous illnesses and want to know about any medications or supplements a person takes.
A complete blood count will determine the number of blood cells, including platelets, in a blood sample. Fewer than 150,000 platelets µL is considered abnormally low. Blood tests can also help rule out other causes of bone marrow failure.
If a doctor suspects aplastic anemia, they will likely refer the person to a hematologist specializing in blood diseases and disorders.
Any treatment plan needs to address the underlying cause of the anemia rash and to restore the body's blood cell production.
Aplastic anemia can be classified as non-severe, severe, or very severe. This is based on a person's blood count and will help determine the treatment plan. The lower the number of blood cells, the more severe the condition.
Treatment for aplastic anemia may include:
Medication may be prescribed to achieve the following:
Outlook and recovery depend on the underlying cause of the anemia rash. Underlying damage to the bone marrow may be temporary or permanent.
Aplastic anemia, the most common underlying cause of anemia rash, is rare and serious. It can appear suddenly, or it can develop gradually. If it is left untreated, aplastic anemia may get worse over time.
Most people affected by aplastic anemia can be successfully treated, even in severe cases, although this can take time. Some may even be cured.
It is important to see a doctor when any unexplained pinprick red rash appears.
Neutropenia And Thrombocytopenia With And Without Anemia - Healthline
It's hard to pinpoint exactly how many people have neutropenia with thrombocytopenia.
Neutrophil and thrombocyte levels can vary according to your age, sex, and ethnicity. Both conditions have many potential causes, which might mean that certain groups of people may experience them more often.
Also, they don't always cause symptoms and may be underdiagnosed. They can resolve without treatment. In other words, you can have them without knowing it.
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