Low Platelet Count by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Platelet count questions
Q. What will help my 76 year old husband make platelets, which antibodies keep destroying. I was told Sesame Oil would help built platelets. He had Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) two weeks ago, and his platelet count has already dropped from 142,000 to 65,000. He is now taking cyclosporine. He has too bad of side effects to take steroids. He has Alzheimer's disease, bad heart valve. Doctors have said he would likely lose more memory if he was put under enough for major surgery.
   A. We appreciate your email. However we are not in a position to offer medical advice, or suggest supplements.

Q. Is it possible to increase low blood platelet levels (128,000) through diet/supplementation?
   A. Platelet levels are influenced by a number of medical conditions. A full evaluation needs to be done to determine the cause of the low platelet count and this determines the course of action.

I just recently found out that not only SSRIs, but prednisone affect platelets. After being on prednisone and various SSRIs for nearly 10 years, I realized the reason why I cannot take NSAIDs without becoming covered with petechiae. Two months ago, I underwent a TKR and, after a few days on Coumadin, my coagulation function deteriorated seriously. They had me stop, and a visiting nurse drew my blood repeatedly. I never went back on the Coumadin, particularly since my queasy appetite eradicated any vitamin K-rich food intake. I communicated my findings to the surgeon who had never observed such effect with patients on SSRIs. I suggested that, in the future, he flag his patients both on prednisone AND SSRIs.