Platelets

Platelets are the smallest blood cells. These blood cells look like a plate when inactive, and when activated by the signal that any part of the body is harmed, they create blood clots to stop the bleeding.

Excess or too few platelets in the blood can result in severe issues. A platelet count, previously known as the mean platelet volume (MVP), gives the mean number of platelets in the blood.

What does a platelet count check?

The normal platelet count is 150,000 – 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. If your platelet count is within this range, you have an average amount of platelet, but if it is above 450,000 or 150,000, you may have a health problem.

Thrombocytopenia occurs from a low platelet count, while thrombocytosis is a high platelet count.

Thrombocytopenia 

You have thrombocytopenia if your platelet count is below 150,000 per microliter of blood. This condition means your body isn’t making enough blood clots to protect against impact or injury. People with thrombocytopenia bleed or bruise easily.

The condition may result from the following:

• Genetic conditions
• Medications
• Autoimmune disease
• Sepsis – a serious response from the body due to an infection that can lead to organ failure
• Cirrhosis – scarring in the liver
• General bone marrow problems
• Alcohol abuse
• Chemotherapy treatment
• Bone marrow or blood-related cancers
• Kidney-related issues

Thrombocytosis

You have thrombocytosis if your platelets are higher than the average. Two types of thrombosis affect people.

• Primary thrombocytosis

  This is when abnormal cells enter the bone marrow and increase platelet production. The cause of this condition is still unknown.

• Secondary thrombocytosis

  This condition is medically the same as primary thrombosis but results from other diseases or conditions. It may occur from infection, inflammation, anaemia (a deficiency of the red blood cells), cancer or bone marrow disease. The treatment for secondary thrombocytosis depends on its cause.

  Thrombocytosis may be fatal and can cause blood clotting at any time in the limbs. Blood clots can cause heart attacks and a stroke. In the most severe case, treatment with plateletpheresis is necessary. During this procedure, the platelets undergo artificial separation for the blood to regulate the mean platelet number.

Getting a platelet count

Your healthcare provider or doctor can order a platelet count as part of other tests to give more detailed information on your blood. This test is a complete blood count, and it is often done during routine health screening.

However, immediate testing may be necessary for some situations where specific symptoms occur. Symptoms that may require an immediate CBC and platelet count include:

• Easy bruising
• Regular nose bleeds
• Uncontrolled bleeding from minor cuts
• Purple or red spots on the skin

Preparations for a platelet count

No special preparation is necessary for a platelet count, but your healthcare provider may need to carry out other tests on your blood. In this case, you may need to fast or reduce your water intake. Your provider will give you specific instructions.

What to expect during the test?

A platelet count is quick a relatively non-invasive. The healthcare professional will draw your blood sample from a vein into a small tube or vial. This may take less than five minutes.

The risks are minimal, and some people feel slight pain or bruising where the healthcare provider collected the blood sample.

What factors contribute to an inaccurate platelet count?

Sometimes, a platelet count can give a false result if the platelets stick together. This causes the machine reading your blood to show fewer platelets than are in the blood sample.

Other factors that may cause an inaccurate platelet count include:

• Menstrual cycle
• Physical activity
• Altitude levels
• Certain medications

At our Clinic, we perform platelet counts and other blood tests. Call us on 02071830244 to schedule an appointment for your platelet count.