Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a medical condition that limits the kidney’s ability to function properly. One of the typical effects of CKD is thrombocytopenia (low platelet levels). This article will answer the question: Does chronic kidney disease cause low platelets? It is therefore important to establish the relationship between CKD and a low platelet count so that you know the health implications and void them.
Platelets are tiny particles in the blood that help the blood clot; when they are low in the body, it results in excessive bleeding. Researchers suggest that CKD can affect platelet production in the bone marrow, this can to thrombocytopenia.
What is chronic kidney disease?
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a severe condition that can affect both children and adults. It is a progressive condition when the kidneys fail to perform their duties as expected. The kidneys are essential organs of the body, and they help filter out waste products and excess water from the blood.
CKD can be classified according to stages, from stage 1 (the least severe) to stage 5 (the most severe). There are some early signs. We will discuss that later in this post. Many risk factors could lead to CKD, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and genetics.
Chronic kidney disease is diagnosed through blood and urine tests to check the health status of the kidney or any other abnormality in the urine. Blood tests or imaging tests, like ultrasound or a CT scan, may be performed to determine kidney abnormalities.
Managing CKD can be difficult, but with the right measures in place, most patients with the disease can lead normal lives. To manage the condition, CKD patients should ensure they are in contact with their doctors for proper management.
Role of platelets in the body
Platelets are small blood sample cells that help form clots and prevent bleeding. They are also referred to as thrombocytes. Although they are small, they play a vital role in the body.
In the event of an injury or harm to the blood vessels, the platelets act first. They move quickly towards the place where there is an injury and obstruct it to prevent blood from coming out. This process is called hemostasis and is crucial to avoiding blood loss and other health issues in the body.
Platelets achieve this by aggregating and making themselves sticky in the process. These small, sticky platelets form a temporary clot over the affected blood vessel to stop further bleeding. Besides forming a plug, the platelets release chemicals that cause blood vessels to narrow, reducing blood flow to the affected region.
These elements are made in the bone marrow together with other blood components, such as red and white blood cells. They circulate in the blood for roughly 7–10 days and are then cleared out of the blood by the spleen.
The body continuously manufactures new platelets to replace the old ones to ensure there are enough of them to clot the blood when needed.
However, apart from clotting, platelets have immunological capabilities. It holds granules that discharge growth factors and cytokines that facilitate the recovery and framework of damaged tissues.
Platelets also bear receptors that enable them to communicate with other immune cells, like macrophages and neutrophils, to coordinate the body’s response to an injury or an infection. They also play an important role in the formation of blood clots.
Does Chronic Kidney Disease Cause Low Platelets?
And to answer the question, yes, chronic kidney disease can cause low platelets. Platelets are small cells in the blood responsible for clotting and the prevention of bleeding. Patients with chronic kidney disease show abnormal formation and activity of platelets.
It is not clear why CKD is associated with low platelets, but some factors play a role in this relationship. CKD can affect platelet production sites, which are bone marrow, this can thereby result in a low platelet count. In addition, CKD can also cause a rise in the production of some proteins that help control the platelet count in the bloodstream.
A low platelet count can be a major consideration in patients with CKD since doctors may have to closely observe such patients to ensure that they do not exhibit any signs of internal bleeding. This is important for patients on dialysis.
It is, however, important to understand that managing a low platelet count in patients with CKD is not impossible. In a few instances, a doctor may prescribe corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs to boost the patient’s platelet counts.
Note that repeated platelet transfusions may be required in certain situations, for instance, when the circulating platelet level is very low and the person is bleeding excessively.
People who have chronic kidney illness need to know that low platelet counts are also possible in this condition. It is necessary that they see their healthcare provier regularly once diagnosed of this ailments. This suggests that, in order to protect themselves against excessively bleeding, they must monitor their platelet levels.
Symptoms of low platelets in chronic kidney disease
Thrombocytopenia, or a low platelet count, is also seen in patients with chronic kidney disease at some point. This condition may produce several signs and effects that can affect the health status of patients suffering from kidney disease. Some of the symptoms of low platelets in chronic kidney disease include:
- Easy bruising: Low platelets may cause easy bruising, which is when small bruises appear on the skin even minor skin-to-body contact.
- Excessive bleeding: This is a situation where patients with a lower platelet count will take longer to clot whenever they have injury on any part of their body.
- Petechiae: Petechiae is another sign of low platelet count. It is a small red or purple spots on the skin as a result of bleeding under the skin’s surface.
- Fatigue: Patients suffering from chronic kidney disease or CKD with low platelets may show signs of weakness or fatigue because of the inability to clot blood. When there is loss of blood, the person becomes too weak..
- Bleeding in the digestive tract: In severe conditions, low platelets that cause bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms like black stool or stool containing blood are signs that the digestive system is in a bad shape.
Read also: Can Gum Disease Kill You? Find Out
Diagnosis and treatment options
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the gradual loss of kidney function due to damage to the kidneys and the inability of the kidneys to filter the blood.
Another less-recognized CKD-associated complication is a low platelet count that is commonly referred to as thrombocytopenia. This is a very significant problem because platelets are an essential factor in blood clotting and preventing too much bleeding.
Some times, before a proper kidney infection is diagnosed, it has moved to stage 2 or late stage. In some persons, the symtpoms differ. There are situations, where a person with CKD, is treating another ailment, like malaria or thyphoid fever
However, in series blood test, a glomerular filtration rate (GFR), or Urine test, a proper diagnosis will show whether a person is having a CKD or not.
Also, through this medical screening, it will show whether there is a low platelet count that might result from CKD alone or from other conditions like liver disease, bone marrow disorders, or drugs that impair platelet production or function.
Treatment Options
Management of thrombocytopenia in patients with CKD needs a combination of methods. The main treatment option is to prevent it from occuring. This requires that your doctor focuses on boosting the platelet count to avoid bleeding episodes. However, some of the treatment options for chronic kidney diseas include the following:
- Medications: In certain instances, a patient might be given corticosteroids, immune suppressants, that can stimulate the production of platelets or prevent the body from harming them.
- Dialysis: To improve platelet count for patients with CKD on dialysis, the option is to modify the dialysis schedule to reduce the level of uremic toxins that interfere with platelet function.
- Blood transfusions: If the patient’s platelet count is very low and she is at a high risk of bleeding, then she would be given a blood transfusion to raise her platelet count.
- Splenectomy: Sometimes, specialists may advise the client to undergo splenectomy because the spleen can capture and destroy platelets, which may help to improve the count.
- Management of underlying CKD: It is also important to note that managing the primary kidney disease leads to an improved and increased platelet count. This may include modifying their diet and activity levels, sticking to their medications, and having blood tests to monitor their kidney function.
Highlights
So, patients with CKD and low platelet levels should consult with healthcare providers and follow the recommendations to manage their condition effectively. Monitoring the platelet count through blood tests and visits to the doctor is important to avoid complications like bleeding.
Does chronic disease cause low platelets? Chronic kidney disease can also lead to a low platelet count due to reduced production of platelets. If you have a low platelet count and suspect it is caused by CKD, it is advisable to consult the doctor to find the best treatment.
Preventing this complication from worsening is the best thing you can do. Don’t wait for it to get worse.
Leave a Reply