What is a platelet Count? Why is the test done? Everything around this, that you should know, in this post, and of course our doctors are always there to help you. Just fill in your details in the form below and we will answer all your questions for FREE!
Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are tiny blood cells that are essential for normal blood clotting. They are released in the bloodstream by their precursor cells known as megakaryocytes, found in the bone marrow.
If your blood vessel gets injured, it sends a signal to the platelets where they form clots by mixing with other clotting factors and temporarily plug the injured site. The following are the three major roles of platelets:
It is a common lab test that measures the number of platelets in your blood. It is part of CBC (complete blood count), which measures the number of RBCs, WBCs, and platelets.
It is done during a routine physical examination and used to monitor the conditions associated with excessive bleeding or blood clotting.
A normal platelet count ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood.
Conditions with platelet count lower than 150,000 are called thrombocytopenia. A low platelet count will result in the prevention of blood clotting.
This can be because of:
Bone marrow issues– When bone marrow stops producing enough platelets. This could be because of multiple reasons as:
Platelet destruction– It could be because of:
Other causes-
Conditions with platelet count higher than 450,000 are called thrombocytosis. It occurs when your body produces too many platelets. These are of two types:
Reactive thrombocytosis- It could be a sign of
Essential thrombocythemia- The exact cause of this condition is unknown. It is thought to be because of changes in the genes and results in the increased production of platelets.
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** The text on this website is sourced from websites like emedicine and/or other verified material by government agencies around the globe along with valuable inputs and additions by our team. The content of this page is proofread and updated by the team of doctors, every once in a while, to provide the most accurate information.