• Bruising
• Nosebleeds or bleeding in the mouth and gums
• Rash (pinpoint red spots called petechiae)

Other symptoms may be present as well, depending on the cause of the condition. Mild thrombocytopenia can occur without symptoms.

Complete blood count (CBC) shows low number of platelets. Blood clotting studies (PTT and PT) are normal.

Other tests that may help diagnose this condition include:

• Bone marrow aspiration or biopsy
• Platelet associated antibodies

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Thrombocytopenia Overview

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Thrombocytopenia Treatment

Review Date: 02/05/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)