Does a decreasing platelet count in cirrhosis indicate that the condition is getting more severe?

Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
Updated on June 23, 2025
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Liver cirrhosis with increasingly low platelet counts indicates that the condition is becoming more severe. This decline in platelets suggests a more advanced stage of liver cirrhosis, manifesting as significant splenic hyperfunction and splenomegaly. Patients with liver cirrhosis and decreasing platelets may experience spontaneous bleeding, which requires attention. If necessary, surgical intervention such as splenectomy or splenic embolization may be required, along with platelet transfusion treatment. For complications associated with liver cirrhosis, further refinements in gastroscopic examination are needed to determine the presence of portal hypertensive gastropathy or esophagogastric varices. If varices are present, prophylactic banding or sclerotherapy may be needed.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
54sec home-news-image

Can cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B be cured by taking Chinese medicine?

Liver cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B cannot be completely cured by Chinese medicine, as the main cause is the presence of the hepatitis B virus. Therefore, antiviral medications are necessary for treatment. Only by eradicating the hepatitis B virus can the patient's cirrhosis be effectively controlled. Certainly, Chinese medicine from traditional practices does have confirmed effects on treating hepatitis B-induced liver cirrhosis, but it cannot completely cure cirrhosis; it can only slow its progression. Hence, once a patient is diagnosed with hepatitis B cirrhosis, it is crucial to actively use antiviral medications for treatment, typically opting for drugs such as entecavir, telbivudine, or tenofovir. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Ye Xi Yong
Infectious Diseases
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How long can one live with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis?

We cannot give a definite answer on how long a patient with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis can live, as the life expectancy in late-stage cirrhosis is influenced by many factors including treatment measures, lifestyle adjustments, daily healthcare, and physical condition. Patients in the compensated stage of cirrhosis, if treated and the progression of cirrhosis is halted, with normal liver function and negative hepatitis B virus replication indicators, can work normally. In this state, the quality of life is good, and they can live to 70 to 80 years old. For patients in the decompensated stage of cirrhosis, if untreated and the cirrhosis is allowed to progress, about 70 to 80% may die within 5 years; however, aggressive treatment, including traditional Chinese medicine for liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, combined with antiviral treatment, bleeding prevention, liver protection, and liver transplantation, can significantly increase the survival time of patients.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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What is the difference between the symptoms of cholecystitis and the symptoms of cirrhosis?

The symptoms of cholecystitis differ significantly from those of cirrhosis. The symptoms of cholecystitis mainly manifest as pain in the upper right abdomen, along with chills and fever, while the symptoms of cirrhosis primarily include fatigue, poor appetite, and may also present with jaundice, abdominal distension, and swelling of the lower limbs. To determine whether a patient has cholecystitis or cirrhosis, it is recommended to visit the gastroenterology department of a standard hospital as soon as possible for a comprehensive examination. This should include abdominal imaging, liver function tests, complete blood count, among others, to further clarify the diagnosis and adopt corresponding treatment measures.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Is the surface of the liver smooth in the early stages of cirrhosis?

In the early stages of cirrhosis, it is not necessarily the case that the liver surface is very smooth; in patients with early cirrhosis, the liver surface can be uneven. Patients in the early stages of cirrhosis also need serious attention. They should undergo regular follow-up examinations, and it is important to identify the cause of the early cirrhosis. Based on different causes, appropriate treatment measures should be taken. For example, if the early cirrhosis is caused by chronic hepatitis B virus, antiviral treatment should be initiated as soon as possible. If it is due to alcohol, leading to early alcoholic cirrhosis, then it is crucial to quit drinking actively, and liver-protective treatments are also needed.

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Written by Yang Chun Guang
Gastroenterology
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Is liver cirrhosis with ascites contagious?

Liver cirrhosis in the decompensated stage with ascites present is not inherently contagious. Whether the condition is infectious depends not on the severity of liver function, the degree of liver cirrhosis, or the gravity of ascites, but rather on the underlying cause of the liver cirrhosis. For example, liver cirrhosis caused by alcohol consumption is not contagious. However, if the liver cirrhosis is due to viral hepatitis, such as commonly seen with hepatitis B or C, the condition can be infectious. Therefore, the presence of ascites or liver cirrhosis itself is not an indicator of infectiousness; the crucial factor is whether there is an infectious virus present.