Are you wondering why platelets stick together and what that means with leukemia?
Platelets are tiny cell fragments made in the bone marrow. Their main job is to clump together to form clots and stop bleeding when a blood vessel is damaged — so some sticking together is actually a good thing!
With leukemia, though Show Full Answer
Are you wondering why platelets stick together and what that means with leukemia?
Platelets are tiny cell fragments made in the bone marrow. Their main job is to clump together to form clots and stop bleeding when a blood vessel is damaged — so some sticking together is actually a good thing!
With leukemia, though, platelet levels can be thrown off in either direction: Too few platelets (thrombocytopenia) — Leukemia and its treatments can cause platelet counts to drop, making it harder for blood to clot properly. Signs include:
- Easy bruising
- Frequent nosebleeds
- Tiny red, purple, or dark brown spots on the skin (petechiae)
- Bleeding gums
Too many platelets (thrombocytosis) — This can cause excessive clotting, which carries its own risks like deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
A healthy platelet count is between 150,000 and 400,000 per microliter of blood. If counts fall below 140,000, that's considered thrombocytopenia.
It's really important to keep your care team updated on any unusual bleeding or bruising. A platelet transfusion or other treatments may be recommended depending on your situation.
May 4
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