Thrombocytopenia

//Western Diagnosis// A. decreased numbers or function of platelets B. defective hemostasis with bleeding

Etiology
1. failure of platelet production a. leukemia, anemias, alcoholism 2. splenomegaly a. platelet sequestration 3. inc platelet destruction and/or utilization a. HIV, SLE, leukemia, lymphoma, drug-induced, posttransfusion, metastatic malignancy, adult respiratory distress syndrome, septicemia

Signs & Symptoms
1. petechiae 2. scattered, small ecchymosis 3. mucosal bleeding - epistaxis, GI, GU, vaginal 4. fever if due to infection or SLE 5. can get easy bruising (purpura simplex) or allergic purpura with normal platelets

Laboratory
1. CBC 2. bleeding time, PT, PTT

Treatment
1. find cause 2. direct moxa may work well: GV-14, GV-4, Yin back shu points, BL-17, BL-43

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**Herbal Considerations:**
Ji Xue Teng

Prescription
Daily: Tamaris Gallica D1, 50-75 drops