Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are small, colourless cell fragments present in our blood. They play a crucial role in blood clotting and wound healing. When a blood vessel is damaged or ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: My brother has low blood platelets and anemia. He will be 73 this year and has had three back surgeries. What causes low blood platelets? Can anything be done to raise platelet count?

Because leukemia is a blood cancer, it can affect a person’s platelet count. People with leukemia sometimes have a low platelet count. However, other conditions can also cause low platelets. Leukemia ...

How low can a platelet count get before you suspect heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)? —Higinio R. Lopez, MD, Newark, Del. During heparin therapy, any unexplained decrease that reduces the ...

Thrombocytopenia-absent radius syndrome is a rare congenital condition. It causes a low platelet count and the absence of the radius bone in both forearms. Thrombocytopenia occurs when the number of ...

What Is Doptelet, and Why Does It Matter? Doptelet (avatrombopag) is a prescription medicine that helps the body make more platelets (cells that help stop bleeding). First approved in 2018 for adults, ...

Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia is a rare but potentially life threatening condition in newborns. It can cause bleeding in the brain and long-term effects. Treatment usually involves a platelet ...

Dear Dr. Roach: My husband was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in 2010 and remained in stage 2 with no effects until 2022. In the interim, he was also diagnosed with atrial ...

Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT) is a disorder that affects pregnant people and their fetuses. It occurs when the birthing parent’s immune system produces antibodies that attack and destroy ...

Dear Dr. Roach: My brother has low blood platelets and anemia. He will be 73 this year and has had three back surgeries. What causes low blood platelets? Can anything be done to raise platelet count?