Thrombocytopenia
Adult

Haematology

Useful Management Information

  • Refer to local HealthPathways or local guidelines
  • Given spurious thrombocytopenia due to collection, storage or in vitro clumping of platelets is not uncommon, all low results should be confirmed with repeat testing with a FBC, coagulation screen and ELFT within at least a week of initial recognition of thrombocytopenia.

Thrombocytopenia can be caused by:

  • Decreased production
  • Leukaemia
  • Viral infections
  • Chemotherapy drugs
  • Heavy alcohol consumption
  • Increased breakdown
  • Pregnancy
  • Immune ITP
  • Sepsis (bacteraemia, haemolytic uraemic syndrome, DIC)
  • Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)
  • Drugs (quinine, sulpha drugs, anti-epileptics)
  • Sequestration
  • Splenomegaly (PLT usually 50-100 x 109/L)
  • Spurious – artefactual
  • Collection issues (difficult venepuncture, activated sample)
  • Storage issues (delays between collection and testing)
  • In vitro clumping (repeat testing with EDTA & citrate tube)

Minimum Referral Criteria

Does your patient meet the minimum referral criteria?
Category 1 (appointment within 30 calendar days)
  • Persistent platelet level < 30 X 10/l
Category 2 (appointment within 90 calendar days)
  • Persistent platelet level 30-75 X 10/l
Category 3 (appointment within 365 calendar days)
  • Persistently low platelet level > 75 X 10/l

If your patient does not meet the minimum referral criteria

  • Assessment and management information may be found on a range of conditions at HealthPathways
  • If the patient does not meet the criteria for referral but the referring practitioner believes the patient requires specialist review, a clinical override may be requested:
    • Please explain why (e.g. warning signs or symptoms, clinical modifiers, uncertain about diagnosis, etc.)
  • Please note that your referral may not be accepted or may be redirected to another service

Essential Referral Information

  • E/LFT including LDH
  • HIV serology
  • Hepatitis C serology
  • Drug history

Additional Referral Information

  • Ultrasound upper abdomen
  • Autoimmune screen
  • Coagulation screen
Last updated 18 June 2025

Send Referrals To

Smart Referrals

Preferred Method
About Smart Referrals

Secure Web Transfer

Send to: Gold Coast Health Service District

Internal Referrals

Haematology (E-Blueslips)

Fax

(07) 5687 4497

Post

Cancer Referrals Centre
Gold Coast University Hospital
1 Hospital Boulevard
Southport QLD 4215

Enquiries

(07) 5687 2708

Related HealthPathways

No directly related pathways found

Service Availability

Dr Rachel Wooldridge
Medical Director Haematology

Facilities

Gold Coast University Hospital

If you would like to send a named referral, please address it to the specialist listed above, who will allocate a suitably qualified specialist to see the patient. Alternatively, you can view a full list of our specialists.

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