1. Health
2. Cancer

Low Platelets

• Article - Understanding Low Platelets

  Why chemotherapy, radiation, and some cancers lower your elderly parent's platelet count, and how a low platelet count might affect her treatment.

• Article - Managing Treatment for Low Platelets

  Find out how to protect your parent from the dangers of uncontrolled bleeding caused by a low blood platelet count (thrombocytopenia).

• Article - How Blood Test Results Can Affect a Chemotherapy Session

  Blood Test Results and Chemotherapy. When undergoing chemotherapy, a lot hinges on the blood test results that precede each chemotherapy session.

Questions & Answers

• Question - How can I prevent frequent nosebleeds caused by low platelets?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What could be causing a low white and red blood cell count and low platelet count in a former cancer patient?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How can we prevent bruising due to low platelets?

  Bruising from low platelets is a common side effect in chemotherapy patients. Find out what you can do to reduce low platelet bruising.

• Question - Why won't my parent's doctor order a blood transfusion to boost his platelets?

  When platelets are low, should doctors do a platelet transfusion? Most doctors hold off transfusing unless a patient with low platelets is bleeding.

• Question - What is the red chemo that is administered by a large needle over a 15 minute time span and what are the side effects?

  Adriamycin, aka doxorubicin or the Red Devil, is a red chemo that may be taken with other cancer drugs. Possible side effects include heart failure.

• Question - Where does the blood go that has to be replace due to chemo treatments?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member