Borderline low platelet count

Welcome to Connect, @jarlan. Doctor’s generally look for trends in blood results. That can be coupled with symptoms to determine if there’s cause for concern. One thing to keep in mind is that a test result outside the reference range may or may not indicate a problem. Since many reference values are based on statistical ranges in healthy people, you may be one of the healthy people outside the statistical range, especially if your value is close to the expected reference range.

However, anytime there are consistent counts out of the ‘norm’ it usually warrants some followup to make sure there’s nothing underlying. Blood conditons can take many years to develop and as you’ve seen, for 10 years there hasn’t been anything significant.
But to answer your question, yes, having low blood cell counts can have side effects. Basically, our blood consists of 3 categories of cells…red and white blood cells and platelets. Each type plays a specific roll, so a depletion of any of them can throw off a normal balance.
Too few platelets, referred to as thrombocytopenia, can create issues with prolonged bleeding, bruising, frequent nosebleeds, headaches, etc., Too few red blood cells can create body aches, chest pain, weakness, fast heartbeat, and shortness of breath.

Posting some links below to give you a better understanding low platelets and low red blood cells:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thrombocytopenia/symptoms-causes/syc-20378293
~~
https://www.verywellhealth.com/living-with-low-platelets-what-you-need-to-know-2252431
~~
https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-pancytopenia-2249143
Seeing that this has been your normal for 10 years, have you experienced any symptoms or changes in health over that time? How did you discover the gap in information from the past decade?

Hello,

Thank you so much for your comments and the references. They are quite helpful. Things are less clear in my case since my numbers are borderline.
I am mainly healthy and have not noticed any deterioration (except some possible spleen related stomach discomfort and some recent head issues).
Some things that have been noticed:
Blood work mentioned platelet clumping a number of times. Large clumping is probably fatal but even small clumping is dangerous. Hopefully, this is a measurement issue.
Fullness feeling after even a small meal. Stomach ache next to the ribs after eating. These are probably symptoms of a slightly enlarged spleen (can be conformed by a physical or an ultrasound ). I doubt there is any fix for a slightly enlarged spleen. A severely enlarged spleen may be taken out (rarely) if the platelet count is really low.
There is a sudden loss in my hearing (probably unrelated). I am still trying to resolve this. I had balance issues a couple of months ago which got quickly resolved by taking Teva - betahistine a prescription medication which increases blood flow to the head area. I have a head congestion feeling for which I have been prescribed a nasal spray (first time). I am hoping that it will begin to help. I think these are all minor unrelated issues and will get resolved in time.
I could probably see a hematologist to resolve platelet clumping issues and get an ultrasound scan to confirm a slightly enlarged spleen. I am not sure if any solution can be found. Thanks again for any comments and suggestions.

Hello,

Thank you so much for your comments and the references. They are quite helpful. Things are less clear in my case since my numbers are borderline.
I am mainly healthy and have not noticed any deterioration (except some possible spleen related stomach discomfort and some recent head issues).
Some things that have been noticed:
Blood work mentioned platelet clumping a number of times. Large clumping is probably fatal but even small clumping is dangerous. Hopefully, this is a measurement issue.
Fullness feeling after even a small meal. Stomach ache next to the ribs after eating. These are probably symptoms of a slightly enlarged spleen (can be conformed by a physical or an ultrasound ). I doubt there is any fix for a slightly enlarged spleen. A severely enlarged spleen may be taken out (rarely) if the platelet count is really low.
There is a sudden loss in my hearing (probably unrelated). I am still trying to resolve this. I had balance issues a couple of months ago which got quickly resolved by taking Teva - betahistine a prescription medication which increases blood flow to the head area. I have a head congestion feeling for which I have been prescribed a nasal spray (first time). I am hoping that it will begin to help. I think these are all minor unrelated issues and will get resolved in time.
I could probably see a hematologist to resolve platelet clumping issues and get an ultrasound scan to confirm a slightly enlarged spleen. I am not sure if any solution can be found. Thanks again for any comments and suggestions.

Just curious ....did you get a COVID vaccine prior to your symptoms?

I think you just mentioned the best solution in your last paragraph…it IS time to see a hematologist so that you’re not second guessing your condition.

An enlarged spleen, which may be caused by a number of disorders, can harbor too many platelets, which decreases the number of platelets in circulation. There is a danger of clotting even with a reduced number of circulating platelets given that your blood work has been showing platelet clumping. You may want to check with your PCP if you don’t have a hematologist yet, to ask about the possibility of taking a low dose aspirin to help prevent clotting. Symptoms such as sudden hearing loss can be related to mini clots…just so you’re aware…this is nothing to trifle with.

Seeing a hematologist, a specialist in blood conditions, will take the guesswork out of what’s happening with your blood changes and potentially enlarged spleen. There are treatments to get your condition under control thereby allowing the spleen to return to a normal, healthy condition.

I’m nudging you to get a consult…how about it?