We answer all questions about increasing platelets

Types of platelets and level diagnostics

Platelets have no color. They are nuclear-free, their shape resembles a flattened oval or circle. They are formed from megakaryocytes in the red bone marrow. There are 3 cell ages:

1. Young (up to 1%).
2. Mature (90-95%).
3. Old (2-6%).

Note!
A platelet lives up to 12 days; decay occurs in the spleen, lungs or liver.

Their level is measured in thousands per liter, multiplied by 109 (example: xxx*109/l).

The condition when the level of platelets in the body is low is called thrombocytopenia by medicine. A reduced number of cells is dangerous for a person and his life, although at first the pathology is asymptomatic or mild. You should be wary:

1. Bleeding from the gums when brushing teeth or while eating.
2. Bleeding from the nose.
3. Blood in stool and urine.
4. The appearance of bruises and hematomas for no reason.
5. Heavy periods.

During various therapeutic procedures, including dentistry, it is difficult to stop bleeding. Sooner or later, a person goes to the clinic, as the symptoms worsen and it becomes more and more difficult to cope with them at home.

If thrombocytopenia is symptomatic, a general blood test is prescribed and several important points are studied, including the total platelet volume.

How to diagnose thrombocytopenia

A person may not suspect the presence of thrombocytopenia for a long time, since at first it is not accompanied by any specific symptoms.

As the pathology develops, the first symptoms appear:

• bleeding time from wounds increases;
• bleeding of the nose, gums, etc. is observed;
• in women – the duration and abundance of menstrual flow increases;
• hematomas and hemorrhagic rashes appear on the skin.

Having noticed a problem repeating itself over and over again, a person goes to the doctor. Most patients presenting with such complaints are referred for a general blood test. The laboratory conducts research on several indicators, including determining the number of platelets.

Doctors are not interested in the total volume of blood cells, but in their number compared to white blood cells, red blood cells and other blood components.

Attention! If platelet levels are low, medical manipulations are dangerous because they damage the integrity of the skin and mucous membranes.

Blood for analysis is taken from a finger or a vein - it depends on the equipment of the laboratory. If questions arise, the doctor additionally prescribes a biochemical blood test. The study allows us to identify inflammatory processes, disorders in the endocrine system and water-salt balance, and other indicators.

The diagnosis of thrombocytopenia is made after a blood test for the content of proteins, carbohydrates, enzymes, pigments, and microelements. The nitrogen metabolism rate is also determined.

Blood clotting (platelet aggregation) is determined using special tests:

1. According to Sukharev. For analysis, biomaterial is taken - blood from a finger, on an empty stomach. The material is placed in a special test tube, which is tilted in different directions. A stopwatch is used to measure the time until the blood loses its ability to move freely in the vessel.
2. According to Lee-White. During the study, the rate of venous blood clotting is determined. Analysis - 3 ml of blood, taken on an empty stomach. Normal clotting time is considered to be 4-7 minutes (at 37°C). Blood taken for analysis is poured into three tubes heated to 37°C. They are installed with the floor tilted at an angle of 50 degrees. And then they record the time on a stopwatch and determine how many minutes it will take for the blood to clot completely. Complete clotting occurs when blood does not flow out when the tube is tilted.

Both analyzes are accurate and informative. Their implementation allows us to obtain additional information about the patient’s condition. Both methods are carried out in a hospital, since testing is carried out immediately after blood collection - due to its rapid clotting.

Normal indicator

The normal number of platelets in the body is expressed either in cells/l (units) or in thousand/μl. Depending on the medical center where the blood is tested. The norm for people of different age groups:

1. Newborns - 160-320.
2. Children 1-4 years old - 150-400.
3. Children 5-15 years old - 150-450.
4. Adults - 200-400.
5. When carrying a child - 150-320.

Jumps in the number of cells per day can be within 10%. Deviation is observed during menstruation. If the indicator is significantly lower than normal, this is a pathological condition.

Reasons for the decline

Platelet cell deficiency, as in adults, can be triggered by certain factors. Reasons for raising platelets in the blood:

1. Blood diseases.
2. Long-term treatment with medications for diseases caused by viruses or infections, as well as colds.
3. Poisoning with toxic substances, drugs.
4. Unhealthy eating has a negative impact on the functioning of the body as a whole.
5. Damage to the bone marrow, causing a decreased level of blood cell production.
6. Carrying out chemotherapy.
7. Autoimmune diseases.

In addition to the reasons listed, it may be necessary to increase the level of platelets in the blood if you take medications and products that thin the blood for a long time.

Women may also experience a decrease in platelets during pregnancy. And this does not depend on the influence of any specific factors. This is usually the norm, which is observed in the third trimester.

One of the dangerous complications associated with chemotherapy for oncology is the development of thrombocytopenia. Cell deficiency negatively affects the coagulation of blood cells, which leads to the formation of bleeding of varying severity. Against this background, a person feels worse, and problems arise with the effectiveness of curing cancer. Sometimes chemistry courses are shortened, and sometimes they are completely banned. Since bleeding is the main cause of death in cancer, it is important to increase the platelet count after chemotherapy.

In children, blood clotting is impaired due to various pathologies. It could be:

• allergy;
• infections;
• anemia;
• viruses;
• oncology;
• tuberculosis.

When a child's blood cell count is regularly observed to be low, hemophilia is possible. With such a disease, blood clots poorly and thins out. Hemophilia can also begin with prolonged treatment with antibacterial drugs. Sometimes it is noted in infants. In such situations, the disease is congenital. With hemophilia, it is very important to protect the baby from injury. Raise the platelet count only under the supervision of a doctor.

Other ways to increase platelets

Reduced platelets after chemotherapy, in addition to the above methods, can be increased by using recommendations that actively prevent the development of hemorrhages.

To prevent the indicators from falling even lower, it is necessary:

• Avoid taking Aspirin - drugs that contain acetylsalicylic acid are also prohibited;
• refusal to use dental floss for oral hygiene;
• men should use electric razors when shaving;
• clearing the nose of mucus by lightly blowing;
• after injections, it is necessary to apply pressure bandages until the blood stops completely;
• women are recommended to take medications that inhibit the onset of menstrual periods;
• surrounding yourself with soft things in everyday life that cannot cause wounds, bruises or cuts;
• Exercise extreme caution when working with scissors, knives and other sharp objects.

In addition, it is worth completely giving up addictions, leading a moderately active lifestyle and undergoing regular medical examinations, which is especially important for patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Foods that increase blood platelets

You can quickly increase platelets in the blood with the help of diet and non-traditional treatment methods. It will be possible to increase the indicator if you compensate for the deficiency of ascorbic acid, vitamin K, B9, minerals, Fe, Zn. The reason for the need for an increase in platelets may be not only a deficiency of nutrients for the synthesis of new cells, but problems with the absorption of vitamins and minerals in the small intestine.

Liver

The liver contains iron, so consuming the product will help raise platelets. Any type of liver is allowed. Fish by-products (cod liver) will also be beneficial. The product can be boiled, steamed or baked.

You need to choose beef, pork, chicken liver, from animals that were fed grain. Since poor-quality feeding of livestock and poultry leads to the deposition of toxic substances in the organ that can cause harm.

Buckwheat

Buckwheat is useful for raising platelets, increasing red blood cells and hemoglobin.

On a note! Cereals contain a lot of protein, iron and vitamins.

Buckwheat is an environmentally friendly product for raising platelets. It leads to muscle growth and cleanses the digestive system of toxic substances. Particular attention is paid to green buckwheat. Its taste is softer. Dietary nutrition for low platelets includes the consumption of other cereals - millet, rice, oatmeal.

Egg yolk

Previously, eggs were excluded from the diet of people suffering from atherosclerosis and other diseases of the heart and blood vessels. The yolk contains a lot of cholesterol, but the connection between consumption of the product and the deposition of plaques on the walls of blood vessels has not been proven. Research has shown that the yolk contains the elements required for:

• building blood cells;
• hormone production.

Egg yolk contains albumin, an essential element of blood plasma. Eggs must be present in the diet of people with platelet deficiency.

Dairy

Consumption of foods fortified with calcium helps increase thrombotic cells at home. By consuming dairy products, it is necessary to prevent the leaching of calcium from the body. It is prohibited to smoke, consume alcohol and sweet soda.

Adults are advised to choose dairy products with reduced lactose content. Over the years, the ability to absorb milk sugar decreases. And this provokes digestive problems.

Kiwi

Consuming 2 fruits per day helps to increase blood cell levels quickly. Kiwi is inexpensive and tasty. Highly effective in restoring hemoglobin levels in anemia. Positively affects the immune system.

The fruit contains a lot of B vitamins.

Pitahaya

Consuming this exotic product helps to quickly increase platelet and white blood cell levels. Pitahaya is a member of the cactus family. The fruit grows in Thai, Chinese, Indonesian and Vietnamese territories.

Eating fruit is necessary during rest. You can bring very few fruits with you, but you need to consume them no later than 3 days. It is difficult to buy a product in Russia, and the price is not small.

Papaya leaves

The leaf is enriched with vitamins and nutrients that help restore cell levels. The leaves are used to make a decoction, which is consumed in a spoonful morning and evening.

How to increase platelet levels in the blood with medications

Medicines for pathology are prescribed by a hematologist. Self-administration of medications can cause dangerous complications. If there is a significant decrease in the number of cells, hormones and hemostatic drugs are prescribed. When thrombocytopenia is not pronounced, the quality of the blood is restored by vitamins.

Prednisolone

Hormones to increase platelets are often prescribed to people with cancer. They stimulate hematopoiesis, increasing the level of blood cells produced.

Etamzilat

This drug has no effect on the production of blood cells in the bone marrow.

On a note! Hemostatics are used to eliminate blood loss and hemorrhages caused by thrombocytopenia.

Medicines normalize blood clotting and protect against dangerous complications. The medicine is administered under the supervision of a physician.

Codecor

The main advantage of this drug is the presence of only natural elements in the composition. Sodecor contains extracts of plant crops that have a positive effect on the functioning of the bone marrow. This provides conditions for accelerated production of blood cells.

Vikasol

The medication belongs to the stimulating substances of blood clotting factors. Like Etamsylate, it does not affect the number of cells. It is used as an adjunct in the treatment of bleeding caused by thrombocytopenia.

Derinat

The product belongs to the stimulants of bone marrow functions, produced on the basis of salmon nuclein. The drug has a positive effect on blood clotting, preventing the development of hemorrhagic complications. It has almost no contraindications or side effects, which makes it possible to prescribe it to children and the elderly.

Thrombopoietin

Thrombopoietin, which can increase platelet levels in the blood, is often compared to growth hormone.

Note! The task of the bioactive substance is to regulate platelet maturation in the bone marrow of humans and some animals.

When the level of the compound decreases in the body, the production of blood cells is disrupted.

The child has

In children, platelet deficiency occurs quite often due to weak immunity, especially against the background of other diseases (anemia, helminthic infestations).

The main measures to increase the level of platelets in the blood in children:

1. Prevention of bleeding (bruises, injuries, falls, wounds),
2. Healthy sleep,
3. Weak physical activity and physical activity,
4. Walks in the open air,
5. Proper nutrition with a predominance of fresh vegetables and fruits, home-cooked food, dishes of normal temperature (not too hot or cold), as well as food that does not irritate the gastrointestinal tract (soft, grated or pureed).

Additionally, the doctor may prescribe vitamins.

How to normalize platelets with vitamins

Vitamin preparations for increasing platelets play an important role. It is imperative to use vitamin C, B12 and K, iron and folic acid to regulate the ripening of blood cells. Vitamin B12 - this element can be obtained from pharmaceutical preparations and from food. Foods that increase platelets are liver, fish dishes, seafood, milk, and cereals.

Folic acid

Pathology often develops due to a lack of folic acid in the blood. The consumption of medications helps to compensate for the deficiency of the substance. Folic acid is present in lettuce leaves, beef and pork liver, asparagus, melons, yolks, apricots and peaches, cucumbers. These foods increase platelets in the blood.

It is incorrect to heat-treat vegetables and fruits. When cooked, the amount of vitamins is sharply reduced.

Iron

The element is contained in Fenyuls, Ferrumlek, Totem. Eating meat, buckwheat, vegetables, herbs, beans, berries, hematogen, dark chocolate, homemade juices, seafood, nuts and mushrooms helps restore iron levels.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K stimulates the functioning of the bone marrow, helping to quickly normalize platelet levels. The vitamin is important for blood clotting. Consumption of the element helps to avoid the development of blood loss due to thrombocytopenia.

To increase the amount of vitamin in the body, include carrots, tomatoes, beans, broccoli, and potatoes in your diet.

After chemotherapy

Chemotherapy effectively fights cancerous tumors. Doctors strive to select drugs that affect only harmful cells, but the entire body suffers the blow.

Due to chemotherapy, the patient loses his hair, his immunity decreases, the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract is disrupted, and the composition of the blood changes. After the procedures, leukopenia, anemia and other complications may develop. The ESR increases, the number of leukocytes and platelets decreases, and hemoglobin decreases.

After chemotherapy, it is important to quickly restore the balance of blood composition. To quickly raise platelets, the patient is prescribed:

1. Medicines: etamsylate, dicion, dexamethasone, prednisone.
2. Derinat is a natural preparation made from sturgeon milt.
3. Vitamins. Particular emphasis is placed on Vitamins B and C.
4. Microelements. It is especially important to supply the body with calcium, magnesium, and zinc.

The patient is also prescribed to eat sprouted soybeans, seeds, and nuts. Eat more fruits and dried fruits. To increase platelets, nettle is used - a tincture is made from it.

How to increase with unconventional methods

You can normalize the level of platelets in the blood using folk remedies. But it is important to remember that any self-medication is fraught with complications.

Nettle

Nettle is ideal for increasing platelets. It is recommended to make and consume nettle drink, nettle decoction, and verbena infusion.

Sesame oil

This natural remedy will help increase your platelet count. Sesame oil contains all the substances necessary for the normal functioning of the hematopoietic system. The product is consumed 1 spoon 30 minutes before meals.

The duration of the course depends on the amount of oil consumed.

Chokeberry

Berries improve blood clotting, normalizing its enzyme composition. The treatment is simple. You need to eat 50 g of berries after eating in the morning. The course lasts no more than 3 days. Do not increase the time of therapy or consume red rowan.

On a note! It is important to remember that it is impossible to increase platelets in the blood using non-traditional methods in the presence of hemorrhagic complications.

It is necessary to urgently contact the clinic.

Treatment

Treatment of platelet deficiency is not carried out with medications due to the lack of such. And yet you can improve the situation by increasing their number.

Power optimization

The diet should contain foods rich in vitamins and microelements. It is necessary to include fruits and vegetables containing retinol (vitamin A) and ascorbic acid (vitamin C): spinach, rose hips, fish oil, bell peppers, carrots, potatoes, parsley, almonds.

Foods containing iron will help increase platelet levels: beets, meat, buckwheat, apples. You need to exclude pickles, pickled foods, smoked foods, and hot seasonings.

Healthy lifestyle

If platelets are low, then it is necessary to completely eliminate the consumption of alcohol-containing foods and drinks and stop smoking. If you continue to do this, the level of these cells will decrease even more and you will be at risk of having a stroke.

Medicines that strengthen the immune system

To further stimulate the activation of the immune system, you can take echinacea tincture (Immunal or an analogue), vitamin complexes (compositions containing microelements are good). Panavir is used for the prevention and treatment of herpes. It is best to discuss treatment with other means with your doctor.

Traditional recipes for low platelet levels

Nettle Treatment is carried out with juice and infusion based on nettle. Tinctures with alcohol or vodka cannot be used.

Recipe 1. To prepare the composition, you need to take a teaspoon of nettle juice and mix it with 50 ml of water or milk. Consume before every meal.

Recipe 2. Take 10 g of dry nettle leaves, add a glass of boiling water. Cook the mixture for 3 minutes over low heat. After this, pour the composition into the thermos and leave for 30 minutes. Drink half a glass before each meal.

Sesame oil

Treatment with sesame oil must be carried out for a long time (you must drink at least 2 liters during the entire course). Take a large spoonful of oil 30 minutes before meals.

Rosehip, nettle, chamomile Mix these ingredients in a ratio of 3:2:1, grind with a blender or coffee grinder. Pour the resulting mixture with boiling water (1 liter) and leave in a thermos for an hour. After 60 minutes, strain, add the juice of half a lemon and a tablespoon of flower honey. Treatment is carried out during the day 3 times before meals, 30 minutes per glass.

If a blood test reveals a decrease in platelet count, this is an alarming factor. Having determined the cause: a disease that caused a decrease in the number of platelets or another factor, appropriate treatment can be started. To do this, you need to consult a doctor. Only a specialist with a medical education can prescribe competent treatment.

Prevention

To prevent platelet deficiency, it is of utmost importance to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It is recommended to follow the rules:

1. Avoid alcohol consumption and smoking, as they cause bone marrow pathologies and there is an automatic decrease in the production of platelet cells.
2. Do not ignore physical education, but do not allow excessive overload.
3. Temper yourself to stimulate the body's protective functions.
4. Get enough sleep and rest fully.

We must not forget about the normal drinking regime. For healthy functioning of the body, it is recommended to drink at least 2 liters of clean drinking water per day.

You can increase platelets at home, but treatment must be prescribed by a doctor. Children and the elderly require special attention in this matter.