Question
How does having low platelet levels affect someone with long-term HIV?
2 August 2007. Related: All topics, Living with HIV long-term, Opportunistic infections, Starting treatment.
Answer
Platelets are a type of blood cells that helps blood to clot.
If your platelets are low, then you can bruise and bleed more easily.
If platelet levels are very low, you can bleed spontaneously, including internally, and this can be serious.
The name for low platelets is thrombocytopenia.
Normal levels for an HIV-negative person are above 150,000 parts per microlitre. Risk of longer or spontaneous bleeding only usually occurs when this drops below 20,000 cells/uL.
Many illnesses and disease can cause low platelets, including viral infections such as HIV.
So people living with long-term HIV have a higher risk of developing low platelets, but this level is usually increased again after starting HIV treatment.
If your platelet level is low, this could be a reason to consider starting ARV treatment.
Low platelets have been reported as a side effect (in less than 5% of people)
Hi Paashu, HIV treatment (ART) is now routinely recommended for all HIV positive people. But we are not doctors at i-Base so it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about treatment for you individually. You can ask what treatment is best for you, taking into account your other conditions.
Hi, my viral load is 1200 cd4 443 and platelet count is 90000. Should I take medication. I have a gallstone of 16 mm and suffering from hypothyroidism….