"What Should I Do If I Have Low Platelet Counts Due to Leukemia?"

Reasons for Low Platelet Counts in Leukemia Patients and Corresponding Treatments

There are various reasons for low platelet counts in leukemia patients, and treatments should be tailored to the specific causes. Common reasons include antiviral infection, medication factors, chemotherapy and radiation damage, and bone marrow suppression.

1. Antiviral Infection

If a patient experiences a viral infection, particularly acute Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, it may lead to thrombocytopenia (low platelet count). In this case, antiviral therapy is necessary, and medications such as Acyclovir Tablets and Ganciclovir Capsules can be administered.

2. Medication Factors

When patients undergo chemotherapy, excessive bone marrow hematopoietic cells may be destroyed, resulting in thrombocytopenia, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Preventive measures against infection are crucial, including avoiding crowded places, dressing appropriately to avoid cold exposure, and stopping chemotherapy drugs that cause thrombocytopenia when necessary. Most patients can recover.

3. Chemotherapy and Radiation Damage

In leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy, excessive bone marrow hematopoietic cells may be destroyed, leading to thrombocytopenia. It is essential to protect the remaining bone marrow hematopoietic cells. If white blood cell counts normalize, observation may suffice. For significantly low white blood cell counts, medications that promote white blood cell production, such as Batilol Tablets and Likun Tablets, can be used.

4. Bone Marrow Suppression

Treatment with sulfa drugs or anticancer drugs like Indomethacin can cause bone marrow suppression, significantly reducing platelet counts. Discontinuing medications that suppress bone marrow hematopoiesis or administering platelet transfusions can help, and most patients can recover. Autoimmune diseases like Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Sjögren's Syndrome, and connective tissue diseases can also lead to decreased platelet levels. In these cases, treating the underlying diseases with medications like Prednisone Tablets and Methotrexate Tablets is necessary to control the condition.