petechiae? low blood platelets

[ermmmmm]

I had some blood tests run last week (I have been having vision problems/headaches and have had optic neuritis so referred to a neurologist who is looking to exclude things). The consultant's secretary called me on Friday to say that I have a very low platelet count. Obviously I consulted Dr Google and found it would explain the extremely heavy periods I have been having. I also read about petechiae rash and I'm wondering if this what I have on my forearms as per the picture. Could anyone take a look and tell me if this is what this is? I hadn't thought anything about it (I guess I've had it for about six months)

I’ve been in hospital this week with my 7 year old daughter. She has been diagnosed with IPT take a look at google for that and see if it sounds similar?

Can't see much from your pic unfortunately, apart from what look like freckles. My petechiae look like little raised blood blisters, some pinprick sized, up to a few mm diameter. Keep chasing up the docs - dm had heavy periods and low platelets for many years before being diagnosed with ITP, an auto immune disease which can be very serious. It's only diagnosed after many other things have been ruled out, so docs weren't that bothered about persuing it in UK. It took a move abroad to sort out. Its extremely irresponsible to leave potentially dangerous symptoms unexplained! Good luck.

Sorry to hear about your daughter and hope she is doing OK.

I am wondering if it is that, but not sure if the rash is just a normal getting older thing or looks like petechiae. I know this sounds silly but I don't want to overload the consultant (neuro) with a load of symptoms.

Just let them take a look, they should be able to tell you.

It can be just one of those things, not necessarily linked to anything nasty, but not really a usual age related thing, afaik, if you have loads developed recently.

I had ITP 25 yrs ago. It’s very serious. Low platelets can lead to internal bleeding. A knock to the head could prove fatal.. not trying to be a scare monger but it’s sadly just the facts and no kind way to say it .. HOWEVER I am still here . I had a lot of steroid treatment which sadly didn’t work for me but was eventually completely cured by having my spleen removed.
ITP stands for Idiopathic (unexplained) Thrombocytopenia. It is an autoimmune disease ( the body attacks it self) I was lucky in that the anti bodies attacking my platelets were in a part of my body that could be removed.
No spleen is no bed of roses though as it leaves your immune system impaired and makes you susceptible for pneumonia and septicaemia but I’ve lasted to 58 so far !
There’s an ITP association. Have a look and find out all about it .

Oh bollocks. Thank you for the warning. That doesn't sound good. Secretary was initially saying I had to come in on Tuesday but I pushed it back until next week. Will call to check the levels tomorrow I think. I see it is in the same autoimmune disorders group as hashimotos (my DM) and type one diabetes (my DS).

Some ppl with ITP don't take the steroids because the side effects can be pretty bad. In some cases platelets fluctuate according to a wide variety of things (curcumin I think was one, but not sure), so with sense and careful management you can live with low platelets and no steroids, which docs may be quick to prescribe if you do have ITP. Do your own research if so, support groups online are good.

I would presume on the side of caution OP. My DF family also riddled with Autoimmune. (Type 1 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis being the most prevalent) For myself I already have Thyroid disease and have had gall bladder and appendix diseases as well as ITP.. it seems that a susceptibility to Autoimmune problems can be familial.