Platelet counts in adults with iron deficiency anemia

In adults with iron deficiency anemia (IDA), abnormal platelet counts were seen in several studies. However we retrospectively examined the clinical records of a larger number of adults with IDA to assess abnormal platelet counts. From November 2006 to April 2008, 615 consecutive adults (73 men and 542 women; age range, 16-88 years) with IDA were included in this study. The mean initial hemoglobin was 9.0 +/- 1.8 g/dL (range 2.7-12.8 g/dL), and the mean initial platelet count was 304 x 10(3)/microL +/- 92.3 (range, 105-700 x 10(3)/microL). The initial platelet counts were normal in 520 (84.6%) adults with IDA. Thrombocytosis (>400 x 10(3)/microL) and thrombocytopenia (<150 x 10(3)/microL) were detected in 82 (13.3%) and 13 (2.1%) adults with IDA, respectively. In conclusion, thrombocytosis was seen at lower rates in our study. Furthermore, this study shows that mild thrombocytopenia is not so rare in adults with IDA.