Types

Three different major groups of problems can lead to thrombocytopenia. According to the Mayo Clinc and Medline Plus, these include low platelet production in bone marrow, an increase in the breakdown of platelets, and platelets becoming trapped in the spleen.

Low Production

Medical conditions causing the bone marrow to produce too few platelets include aplastic anemia and myelodysplasia (which lower the bone marrow's overall ability to make new blood cells), bone marrow cancer and viral infections like HIV (or, rarely, direct infection of the bone marrow), according to the Mayo Clinic and Medline Plus. Excessive use of alcohol and chemotherapy can also lead to low platelet production, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Breakdown

Factors that cause an increased breakdown of platelets include, according to the Mayo Clinic, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and other autoimmune disorders; blood poisoning due to infection with bacteria; thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, which uses up platelets when clots suddenly form throughout the body; and hemolytic uremic syndrome, which destroys platelets and red blood cells and impairs the kidneys.

Medications

Medications can also lead to the breakdown of platelets. According to the Mayo Clinic, these include some diabetes medications, gold salts, heparin, quinidine, quinine, sulfa-containing antibiotics, and rifampin.

Spleen

When the spleen becomes enlarged, it may trap platelets, causing fewer of them to be available to the rest of the body, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Source:

Medline Plus: Thrombocytopenia

Mayo Clinic: Thrombocytopenia Causes