A friend of mine was recently diagnosed with Idiopathic thrombocytopenia (low platelet count with undiagnosed cause). I'm trying to help her figure it out. Since it can be associated with auto immune issues, I couldn't help but wonder about Lyme Disease.
Have any of you heard of an association between thromocytopenia and Lyme disease? It's probably a stretch, but she said she would mention it to her doctors.
Posted by carl (Member # 16126) on :
Galahan,
Lyme Disease and Ehrlichiosis can definately lower your platelets and white blood cells.
Babesiosis primarily affects your red blood cells, but can sometimes lower your platelets and wbc's.
My platelets and wbc's were mildly low for years. Doctors didn't know why and didn't really care.
This was one of the pieces of the puzzle that led to my diagnosis through my research. I have Lyme, HME, Babesia, and EBV.
Carl
Posted by Gahagan (Member # 21194) on :
Thanks, Carl. I will discuss this with her. I really doubt she has TDBs. Her only symptom is bruising. She is otherwise healthy. Still, I am very concerned for her, since the low platelet count puts her at risk for bleeding. Of course, I am concerned about the cause, whatever it may be.
Posted by catskillmamala (Member # 12536) on :
Yes, it can be caused by tick borne diseases including lyme and erlichia. But keep in mind it is often caused by drug interactions, for example many antibiotics are associated with ITP.
I had it in August, 2009 and they don't know whether it was lyme, coinfections, ceftin or something else. I personally believe that my ITP was MMS related since ITP can be caused by exposure to chlorine.
She should look at what she's taking or chemicals she has been exposed to. There's also a discussion board over at the platelet disorder association, www.pdsa.org, for ITP.
Finally, since the treatment is usually steroids- prednisone, I recommending the book Coping with Prednisone which has some great tips for life on that nasty drug.
Posted by Gahagan (Member # 21194) on :
Thank you catskillmamala. I don't think she was on any meds. Now she is on steroids...which, of course, would be tragic if she does have lyme. Thanks for the link. I will surely pass it along to her.