subject: Low platelets – Discover Why and When You Should Use Vitamin E with a Low Platelet Count [print this page] Low platelets Discover Why and When You Should Use Vitamin E with a Low Platelet Count
Vitamin E has many properties. And it has been recommended as a blood thinner. Because of this, many are recommending to steer clear from vitamin E if you have a low platelet count. And it really sounds logical. You really do not want to use a blood thinner if you are already bleeding. But the whole story has not been told. Follow me in this article and let us uncover the truth about vitamin E and low platelets.
Is it true or is it a myth
As a powerful antioxidant, vitamin E in the natural form of gamma tocopherol is very important. It has many crucial functions in the body. But its antioxidant properties make this vitamin very important for autoimmune diseases such as Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia.
Inflammation is present in ITP. And this inflammation makes the body produce lots of free radical that are destructive to platelets. If too much free radicals are produced in the body too many platelets will be destroyed and in a low platelet count due to ITP blood disorder the bone marrow does not respond very well. So platelets are depleted. Free radicals are one of the major factors in ITP.
Since vitamin E is a wonderful antioxidant it can really make a difference by not letting too many platelets get destroyed. So why many are saying it is contraindicated? People tend to generalize and not be specific. There is some truth to recommending avoidance of Vitamin E. I will give you two reasons that will explain why and when vitamin E is contraindicated.
Two reasons to avoid vitamin E:
1) Vitamin E should not be taken in large doses
2) Vitamin E will affect you if your platelets are lower than 40,000 or more
How vitamin E you should take
As mentioned in point number one, vitamin E works as an anticoagulant if taken in large doses. What is considered a large dose? Any amount over 100 IU but mainly over 400-800 IU should not be used by anyone who has a low platelet count. This is really too much.
So how about a dosage of 100 IU or less? Will this have an anticoagulant effect? Not really. So should vitamin E be taken in lower dosages for a person with low platelets? If yes, how much is a low dosage?
Well some studies have shown that 100 IU of vitamin E may actually increase or boost a low platelet count. In other words, these studies tend to indicate that if your platelets are not dangerously low but not really in the normal level, 100 IU of vitamin E can be one factor that can help you get to that normal range. If your platelets are over the 60,000 level you can probably benefit from 100 IU of E. If you are around the 90,000 you can reach your normal range a little faster. But remember that you should never go over the 100 IU recommended.
Taking a low dose of vitamin E that is not over the 100IU range can possibly according to studies improve your ITP blood disorder by increasing your low platelet count. You should not consider this a cure all for low platelets. Consider this as just one additional tool for you to use that can be of great help. Remember that changing your life-style and eating healthier is crucial to improve your health in general. There are also other herbs that can be very effective.
Always consult a doctor who has knowledge in nutrition and alternative medicine before doing any changes to your diet or if you plan to take any supplements.
