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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffMild thrombocytopenia often causes no signs or symptoms. A routine blood test may show that your platelet count is low even though you haven't been experiencing problems. If you have a condition that puts you at risk of thrombocytopenia, your doctor may monitor your platelet count to make sure it doesn't fall too low.
If you've noticed possible signs and symptoms of thrombocytopenia, such as easy bruising or excessive bleeding, your doctor will likely obtain a platelet count from a blood test and examine a sample of your blood under a microscope. Your doctor may also order special blood tests and a bone marrow examination to help determine the cause.
As a first step toward treatment, your doctor will want to identify the underlying cause of thrombocytopenia. If you have a fever in addition to a low platelet count, this may indicate you have an infection. A physical examination may reveal an enlarged spleen that may be entrapping platelets.
