Can vitamin D deficiency cause a high platelet count?

Can vitamin D deficiency cause a high platelet count? Yes, the shortage of vitamin D in your body can result in a high platelet count. The increased platelet count can further make you vulnerable to many deadly diseases. Many studies show that vitamin D and platelets' mean value in your blood are directly linked. You must make sure to have optimum absorption of vitamin D to avoid any problems.

Vitamin D is one of the most crucial fat-soluble vitamins. It is important to get calcium and phosphorus fully absorbed in your body. As most of you know, calcium is the major contributor to teeth, bones, and joint health. Many people get vitamin D through sunbathing. 

However, some get it through their diet and supplements. Vitamin D aids with the body's as well as the mind's health. However, its lack can cause you some severe disorders. Vitamin D deficiency is common in people of all ages. A survey shows that almost a billion people worldwide, including 40% of adults in the US suffer from vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to serious health damage.

In this article, you will know about vitamin D deficiency, working of platelets, the relation of vitamin D and platelet count, and what happens when your platelet count increases or decreases than usual, and the natural ways of getting a normal platelet count.

Reasons for vitamin D deficiency

The following are some common reasons for vitamin D deficiency in people.

1. Less exposure to sunlight

Many of you live in areas that have insane weather patterns throughout the year. The places that do not have enough sun time or sometimes no sunlight at all. In addition to that, if you are lucky enough to be living in regions having great sunlight daily, you may not be giving much time to it. You usually are too busy to get a sunbathe and get caught up in schools or workplaces.

Sun is the best source of getting and absorb vitamin D in your body. You must stay at least 15 to 20 minutes in the sun daily to activate vitamin D. Less disclosure to the sun due to any cause results in vitamin D deficiency.

2. Not getting vitamin D in your diet

Seafood like salmon, tuna, cod, and trout, red meat, eggs are loaded with vitamin D and many other nutrients. Also, due to its importance, many dairy and non-dairy products have been fortified with it. Fortified cow milk, almond milk, coconut milk, or oat milk improves the digestion of calcium.

Mushroom is the most vitamin D rich vegetable. If you are a vegan or do not consume the right amount of any of these products, you are more likely to become vitamin D deficient.

3. Kidney or gut issues

It is possible that you may be getting the right amount of vitamin D, but your body is unable to activate it. Vitamin D is a hormone that gets activated with the help of sunlight. The activation of vitamin D takes place in two steps, first in the gut and then in your kidney.

Gut conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, or any intolerance can come in the way of vitamin D absorption. Also, if your kidneys are not functioning correctly, they may not activate vitamin D in your blood. As people grow older, the kidney's functionality decreases as a result of which vitamin D accumulation decreases.  

4. Other reasons

People with dark complexion are not able to absorb that much sunlight. The researches have shown that a high amount of melanin may resist the efficiency of vitamin D. Obesity is also linked with the deficiency of the sunshine vitamin. As this vitamin is fat-soluble, your body's excess fat may keep it from getting into your blood.

In addition to that, taking a particular medication, specific allergies, or aging are also reasons for vitamin D deficiency. The shortage of vitamin D can lead to a loss in bone mass and cause rickets, breast or other cancers, and cardiovascular diseases. 

5. What is the function of platelets in blood?

Platelets are the magical components of your blood. Have you ever wondered how your wounds get disappeared? These tiny components i.e., platelets, serve the job of healing your injuries. They help to stop bleeding as a result of small or big accidents. When your blood vessels get cut, platelets rush to stop the bleeding forming a layer of a clot. It prevents blood loss and protects your wound from germs and speeds up the healing process. Platelets, genuinely are lifesavers.

Interestingly, a platelet has an average life span of 8 days and form naturally in your blood. It is necessary to have an optimum platelet count according to your age, gender, and other factors. Having less or greater platelet count can be problematic for you. 

What happens if the platelet count falls?

The condition of low platelet count is known as thrombocytopenia. It is a disease that can cause severe internal or external bleeding. Some people are born with it, and others fall prey to it due to many other diseases. Platelets are produced in your bone marrow. In this condition, the body may not be producing much due to bone marrow damage due to chemotherapy, drug addiction, or anemia. Also, it is possible that the body itself may be destroying itself as a result of cancer or autoimmune diseases.

If you have low platelet count, you may witness symptoms like the frequent nose or gum bleed, prolong bleeding after getting small or large wounds, or heavier than usual bleeding during period. If you see any of these symptoms, visit your doctor as soon as possible. This condition is usually curable if not accompanied by other complications like hepatitis c, leukemia, or HIV.

Natural ways to increase platelet count

If you have a minor decrease in your platelet count, these foods can help you to with it. Papaya, pumpkin, spinach, and beetroot can help you. Either take them as a glass of juice or one cup serving (cooked or uncooked). These foods drastically increase the platelet count, but you must try to consume them regularly. Also, stay hydrated and get a good night’s sleep.

What happens when platelet count rises?

Higher platelet count is known as thrombocytosis. In this condition, your body produces an insane amount of platelets in your blood. Primary causes may include bone marrow disorders or acute blood loss, inflammation, and alcohol consumption results in thrombocytosis. Many infections and viruses out there cause aggregation of these tiny particles. Less iron and vitamin D intake may also affect your platelet count. 

The symptoms of greater platelet count than usual include severe headaches, vessel cramps, minor or major strokes. If you face any of these signs, consult your doctor. Primary thrombocytosis is usually treatable.

Natural remedies to cure platelets aggravation

Pomegranate is a heavenly fruit and is known for its healing power. Pomegranate is a natural medicine to treat cancers and cardiovascular diseases. In addition to that, pomegranate juice has antiplatelet properties. But nectar and extract can control the platelet aggravation, but it is best to eat the real fruit. Foods containing fatty acids have wonderful effects on your circulatory system. Fish are abundant in omega-three and can help you to achieve a moderate platelet count. Raw garlic also has blood-thinning properties that can control the overproduction of platelets in your body. If you have a minor condition of higher platelet count, these natural fruits can help you.

What is the relation between vitamin D and platelet count?

As you know, vitamin D is an essential contributor to the accumulation of calcium in your bones and teeth. Vitamin D also has some other effects on your blood; it regulates your blood pressure and is a natural blood thinner. Vitamin D has an anticoagulant effect and can alleviate the excess clotting in thrombocytosis patients. In other words, a lack of vitamin D is one of the major causes of developing more than usual platelet count. You must try to take the recommended amount of this vitamin either in the form of supplements or natural foods, also try to get sunlight to get most out of it. Although, if you have low platelet count or are already using some sort of thinning blood medication, take advice from your doctor before taking large doses of it.

Final word

To conclude, we owe our lives to the platelets. You must make sure to have an optimum platelet count of 150,000 to 450,000 per microliter of your blood. Platelet count higher or less than the optimum amount can have adverse effects. If you have a minor change in platelet count, it can easily be cured with natural remedies. Drinking more water, sleeping at least 8 hours at night, and a light exercise daily is excellent for cardiovascular health. Lastly, do not forget to take vitamin D daily to enjoy good physical and mental health while avoiding many fatal complications.

References

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28486836/

https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4069050/

https://ods.od.noh.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/