29/07/2017
A platelet count is a lab test to measure how many platelets you have in your blood. Platelets are parts of the blood that helps the blood clot
Normal is from 150 - 450
LOW PLATELET COUNT
A low platelet count is below 150,000 (150 × 109/L). If your platelet count is below 50,000 (50 × 109/L), your risk of bleeding is high. Even every day activities can cause bleeding.
A lower-than-normal platelet count is called thrombocytopenia. Low platelet count can be divided into 3 main causes:
Not enough platelets are being made in the bone marrow
Platelets are being destroyed in the bloodstream
Platelets are being destroyed in the spleen or liver
Three of the more common causes of this problem are:
Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation
Drugs and medicines
Autoimmune disorders, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue, such as platelets
If your platelets are low, talk to your health care provider about how to prevent bleeding and what to do if you are bleeding.
HIGH PLATELET COUNT
A high platelet count is 400,000 (400 × 109/L) or above
A higher-than-normal number of platelets is called thrombocytosis. It means your body is making too many platelets. Causes may include:
A type of anemia in which red blood cells in the blood are destroyed earlier than normal (hemolytic anemia)
Anemia due to low iron, sickle cell disease
After certain infections, major surgery or trauma
Cancer
Certain medicines
Bone marrow disease called polycythemia vera
Bone marrow making too many platelets without a known cause (primary thrombocythemia)
Recent spleen removal
Some people with high platelet counts may be at risk of forming blood clots. Blood clots can lead to serious medical problems
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003647.htm
Read our article and learn more on MedlinePlus: Platelet count
