Colors of bruises and platelet count

Has anyone noticed a correlation between how fast your bruises turn colors and platelet count? I noticed that when my counts were normal, my bruises would turn brown/yellow/green fairly quickly. When counts were low, bruises stayed blue or purple.

I was diagnosed with ITP in 2005 and it went away after several treatments (prednisone and WinRho) in late 2006. I also suspected the birth control pills I was on was causing my ITP. I went off my birth control totally and a few months later my counts stabilized and have been normal ever since.

Now I am noticing a bunch of bruises on my legs and arms. Not sure if I am being paranoid because these bruises pass my "bruise test" of being brown/yellow/green. I was moving this weekend and am sure all of these bruises came from all of the lifting/carrying I was doing, but it still makes me a little nervous. I was going to get a CBC done to be safe, but since I haven't been to the doctor in 4 years, they would make me wait for an appt which could take a week or so. Not sure if it's worth it. Let me know what you think!

I would have it done if your at all concerned about it. They shouldn't make you wait knowing you have a history of ITP. It would be crazy if they did! Please let us know.

Do they pass the "push and Press" test? If they are tender, it's more than likely that the lifting and carrying was what banged you up.

Most of them are tender to the touch, so I'm hoping they're just normal.

I had my primary care physician order a CBC for me and had it done today. Results should be back in tomorrow by noon...fingers crossed. Thanks for your posts.

Julie

Woa.. I was wondering the exact same thing today. My count has been in the 30s for a bit.. and my bruises are taking ffoooorrreevvvveerrrr to go away.

I always assumed that when the count was low there was much more bleeding under the skin to form the bruise so that it would take longer to dissipate.