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  • A low platelet count, medically termed thrombocytopenia, means the number of platelets has fallen below the normal range of 150,000 to 400,000 per microliter of blood. When this happens, it usually signals the presence of disease or infection, but the condition can sometimes be caused by certain medications, an enlarged spleen or even pregnancy.

    Disease

    Platelets are created in bone marrow, so when they are low, it can indicate the development of leukemia, a cancer that starts in bone marrow. Autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can also cause a drop in platelets.

    Infection

    HIV infection can cause a low platelet count. The illness destroys platelets or causes the body to use too many of them.

    Medication

    Chemotherapy can destroy needed blood cells as well as dangerous cancer cells. Other drugs, including some oral diabetes medications and certain sulfa-based antibiotics can also reduce platelet count.

    Spleen

    An enlarged spleen can act as a hiding place for platelets, decreasing their numbers in the blood stream. An enlarged spleen can be caused by many things, including infection and liver disease.

    Pregnancy

    The natural process of destroying unused platelets speeds up in pregnant women. The result can be fewer, younger, larger platelets in the blood.

    Source:

    Mayo Clinic: Thrombocytopenia

    Merck Manual: Thrombocytopenia

    Baby Centre: My Midwife says my Blood Platelet Count is a Little Low. Should I Worry?

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