Low platelets and swollen spleen

[Rozy64]

Hope this isn't a silly question. Can anyone explain why l have low platelets and swollen spleen when my bloods are normal and despite being at F4 cirrhosis my liver is compensated.

Thanks.

[CarpeDiem11]

Even with a well compensated liver, it is possible to have portal hypertension, which causes a backflow of blood. This then can have a knock on effect to the spleen. The spleen is part of your immune system and will then "gobble up" some of your platelets, leading to the spleen getting enlarged and a lowering of platelets.

Someone can probably give you a much better explanation. If you look to the right of the screen (on a PC) then you should see similar posts, which may well give you a better answer, without having to wait for others to respond. Hope that helps.

If bloods come back as normal, then all that that tells you is the liver function of the liver that remains working is doing its job. This is why docs will say, your liver function is good, even if you have cirrhosis. So you might only have 50% of the liver working, because the rest is scarred and not working. However, the 50% that is not scarred is still doing all the jobs a liver normally does, so your bloods come back normal. The bloods give no indication of how much of the liver is still working.

Hope you can understand what I am trying to say?

[Rozy64 in reply to CarpeDiem11]

Thankyou, yes l understand, you have explained it very well. I had assumed that if there are no varices there's no back flow of blood. I have much to learn.

Thanks.

[CarpeDiem11 in reply to Rozy64]

You're welcome. Although I have probably oversimplified it, but you get the gist!

[Sqwarks in reply to CarpeDiem11]

that was the best explanation i’ve ever heard! brill, i have been wondering why my con has being saying my bloods are normal for ages, and didn’t get why my playlets are low, amazing think i’ll have to get you on speed dial 😆x

[CarpeDiem11 in reply to Sqwarks]

Haha! 😄Thanks for that. I must admit, it took me a while to understand it too!😉

[Sqwarks in reply to CarpeDiem11]

No thank you,i am quite thick when it comes to understanding things,but my Drs are not that interested in explaining in simple ways,and my friends can’t explain coz they have no idea 🤷🏻‍♀️cheers i’m off to compile a list of questions for ya 😳😂😂 have a good day x

[CarpeDiem11 in reply to Sqwarks]

I wouldn't say you are thick at all. I have done a lot of extra reading and asked a lot of questions. I find the registrars are much more prepared to explain stuff( but it's rare for me to see one) and some of the scan people have been majorly helpful. I like to know stuff, rather than being taken by surprise. Consultants like giving plans and directions to follow, but not so keen on full explanations in my experience.

Hope you have a great weekend🤗

[Sqwarks in reply to CarpeDiem11]

yes your right about consultants and i am able to ask my scan lady as she’s nice and have got to know her as i see her every six months. but as far as reading things can’t take it in although i do try🙄i know what you mean by taken by surprise, it’s not good is it when something happens you didn’t know anything about, i was like that at the beginning, didn’t know the basics but getting there and now i know why my bloods come back normal without reading more and not getting it!

you have a good weekend too, i’m shopping i definitely know about that 😁x