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Platelet Count

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What is Platelet Count?

A platelet count is a test to measure how many platelets you have in your blood. Platelets help the blood clot. They are smaller than red or white blood cells.



Alternative names

Thrombocyte count



How the Test is Performed

Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood. Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm. Once the bloo...



What is Platelet Count?

A platelet count is a test to measure how many platelets you have in your blood. Platelets help the blood clot. They are smaller than red or white blood cells.

Alternative names

Thrombocyte count

How the Test is Performed

Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.

Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.

Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.

How to Prepare for the Test

No preparation is necessary. Tell your doctor if you are taking any medications, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements.

Drugs that can lower platelet counts include chemotherapy drugs, chloramphenicol, colchicine, H2 blocking agents, heparin, hydralazine, indomethacin, isoniazid, quinidine, streptomycin, sulfonamide, thiazide diuretic, and tolbutamide.

How the Test Will Feel

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

Why the Test is Performed

The number of platelets in your blood can be affected by many diseases. Platelets may be counted to monitor or diagnose diseases, or identify the cause of excess bleeding.

Normal Results

150,000 to 400,000 platelets per microliter (mcL)

Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

What Abnormal Results Mean

If the number of platelets is below normal (thrombocytopenia), the cause may be:

Risks

There is very little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:

  • Excessive bleeding
  • Fainting or feeling light-headed
  • Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
  • Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

References

McMillan R. Hemorrhagic disorders: Abnormalities of platelet and vascular function. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 179.

Content provided by:

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2008 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Review Date: 2/21/2009

Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Platelet Count Articles

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    A low platelet count, also referred to as thrombocytopenia, is a condition where the blood has difficulty clotting properly because of a low number of platelets in it. platelets are cells in blood ...

  • Signs of Low Platelet Count

    Low platelet count, also known as thrombocytopenia, is a deficiency of platelets in the blood. platelets are cell fragments that stick together and control bleeding after an injury. When there are ...

  • Complications of a Low Platelet Count

    ...he signs and symptoms of a low platelet count, your doctor can do a routine blood test to determine if your platelet count is low and then take the necessary steps to avoid complications.

  • Symptoms of Low Blood Platelet Count in the Elderly

    ...penia, the medical term for a low blood platelet count, occurs when blood platelets die faster than they're reproduced. According to the Mayo Clinic, a healthy count ranges between 150,000 and 4...

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Conversations On Platelet Count

  • Foods and Supplements to help lower your Cholesterol


    • Posted On February 16, 2008 05:08:41 PM

      ...rol from free radical damage and reduce platelet clumping. The LDL lowering effect of grapes comes from a compound that grapes produce normally to resist mold. The darker the grape, the better. ... Read More

    • Posted On February 18, 2008 08:44:10 AM

      ... with flushing from regular or over the counter timed release. It is best to take the niacin at night. 2. Red Yeast Rice - a supplement from China that is a natural statin. Again, you sho... Read More

  • Your First "weight problem" experience


    • Posted On April 18, 2008 05:39:37 AM

      ...unts crashed. They couldn't even get a platelet count, they actually told my parents I wouldn't live through the night. (Liars!) The doctors thought I had leukemia and so ran all sorts of tes... Read More

    • Posted On April 18, 2008 07:46:41 AM

      ...alk around the block more (i'm from the country...our "block" was 2 miles long) and she would encourage me to walk those 2 miles once in the morning and once at night. i'm not sure if she int... Read More

  • How many calories in a pint of blood?


    • Posted On June 10, 2008 03:10:00 PM

      ...l those red blood cells, luekocytes and platelets, right? Right?!? Anyway, the cookies were good no matter what Read More

    • Posted On June 10, 2008 03:26:22 PM

      ...l those red blood cells, luekocytes and platelets, right? Right?!? Anyway, the cookies were good no matter what haha yea but it takes several weeks to fully replenish. Read More

  • chocolate


    • Posted On February 21, 2008 05:41:58 AM

      ...guilt. I would have one everyday and account for it. If not then.... You will have to break the habit slowly and I mean slowly. Don't give it up entirley cause that will backfire on you... Read More

    • Posted On February 21, 2008 08:49:38 AM

      ...s E and C •Acting on the body’s platelets to reduce the risk of clotting All three of these actions help protect the heart and reduce the risk of disease. Another study, published ... Read More

  • The Official Yoga Topic!


    • Posted On December 29, 2007 09:46:04 AM

      ...y has spread to health clubs across the country and has taken on a broad range of applications. The common thread is a rigorous workout that develops strength and flexibility while keeping stude... Read More

    • Posted On December 29, 2007 09:47:25 AM

      ...ssues. And it thins the blood by making platelets less sticky and by cutting the level of clot-promoting proteins in the blood. This can lead to a decrease in heart attacks and strokes since blo... Read More

  • Vitamins, Minerals and Deficiencies


    • Posted On December 9, 2007 08:36:35 PM

      ...orders, and immune system problems (low platelet count). Vitamin B12: Found in beef, blue cheese, cheese, clams, crab, fish, eggs, herring, kidney, liver, mackerel, milk and milk products, po... Read More

    • Posted On December 27, 2007 12:50:00 AM

      Hi, I found this information valuable. I want to one more thing if you don't mind it . the water soluble vitamin like B ,C if taken in excess will they harm our body and it not th... Read More

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