Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFunctionCauses of Low PlateletsCauses of High PlateletsTest ResultsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Function
Causes of Low Platelets
Causes of High Platelets
Test Results
Frequently Asked Questions
Platelets, also known asthrombocytes, are special blood cells with an important function. Platelets control blood clotting, which means they are critical for healing wounds and stopping bleeding.
A normal platelet count is 150,000–450,000 platelets per microliter. A low platelet count can put you at risk for uncontrolled bleeding. It is also possible to have too many platelets in your blood. This leads to a potentially life-threatening condition related to abnormal clotting.
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What Platelets Do
Platelets get their name from their appearance. They look like tiny, colorless plates. When a blood vessel tears, platelets stick together to form a clot, plugging the tear to stop bleeding.
Platelets are one of three types of blood cells. (Red blood cells and white blood cells are the other types of blood cells.) Platelets form in thebone marrowfrom cells known asmegakaryocytes.
Platelets form clots through a multi-step process that includes:
Some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin, inhibit normal platelet function, which is why you may be asked to stop using them for a period of time before a surgery or procedure.
Platelet Function Disorders Overview
What Causes Low Platelets?
If the body doesn’t have enough platelets circulating in the blood, you may develop a condition calledthrombocytopenia. This occurs when your bone marrow makes too few platelets, which means you’re at greater risk for bruising and prolonged bleeding that takes a long time to slow down. You may need medical treatment for this condition.
The following are some factors that may contribute to low platelet count:
Other examples of conditions that may cause thrombocytopenia include having a mechanical heart valve, chronic alcohol use disorder, liver disease, severe sepsis (a life-threatening infection), and toxic exposures.
Understanding Thrombocytopenia
What Causes High Platelets?
If the body has too many platelets in circulation, it may be related to one of two conditions:
Disorders that may contribute to high platelet count include the following:
In addition, a temporary increase in the platelet count can happen after major surgery or trauma.
Testing and Your Platelets
Your doctor can assess the numbers, size, and health of platelets using acomplete blood count(CBC) test.
What Is a CBC?
Understanding High Platelet Count or Thrombocytosis
The CBC provides specific lab markers that refer to platelets. These markers include the following.
Platelet Count (PLT)
Just as it sounds, this is the actual number of platelets you have (per microliter of blood). Your range can vary from low to elevated:
Aplatelet countthat is too low can cause uncontrolled bleeding, while a count that is too high can put you at risk for excessive blood clots.
A platelet count below 20,000 per microliter is a life-threatening risk. You might start to bleed spontaneously and seemingly without reason. The bleeding could be very hard to stop. If this occurs, you may be given a platelet transfusion.
It’s important for your doctor to know your platelet count before and after surgery. These numbers are used to predict the risk of bleeding and clotting problems. It’s also important to track the count if you’re undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy because these treatments can interfere with platelet production in the bone marrow.
Mean Platelet Volume (MPV)
Themean platelet volume (MPV)is a measure of the average size of your platelets. Younger platelets are larger than older ones, so an elevated number means you’re producing and releasing them rapidly. Alow numbermeans there’s a slowdown in production in the bone marrow.
Platelets live in the bloodstream for about eight to 10 days.
Platelet Distribution Width (PDW)
PDW measure the variations in size among the platelets. This measurement can reveal conditions that affect the platelets.
Platelet Function Tests
Platelet function tests are a series of exams that determine if platelets are effectively forming clots. Among the things these tests look at are:
These tests are usually done if there are symptoms or risk of excessive bleeding or if a doctor needs to monitor antiplatelet medications.
Understanding CBC Results
Summary
Platelets are tiny cells with a highly important function in the body: to stop bleeding. There is a wide range of normal in terms of platelet count. Your healthcare provider can usually determine whether there’s a problem with a routine blood test. Although, additional tests that measure the size of the platelets and how well they function might also be needed.
Having too few or too many platelets is a symptom of another condition. Your doctor will need to do additional tests to understand the underlying problems so you can be properly treated and your excessive bleeding or problems clotting can be managed.
A Word From Verywell
It’s important to be aware of extreme platelets levels, too high or too low. This is especially true if you’re considering surgery or undergoing another procedure that may require healthy bleeding and clotting.
If you’ve already been diagnosed with very low or very high levels of platelets, make sure you communicate regularly with your healthcare provider about a safe plan of action.
Treatmentis only necessary if thrombocytopenia is causing health problems. Treatment may include blood transfusion, which is a temporary fix; spleen removal; and medications that may include steroids and immunoglobulins.
Under a microscope, blood platelets look like small plates when inactive. When activated, they look like an octopus as they grow small tentacles.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Rochester Medical Center. Health Encyclopedia.What Are Platelets?National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Thrombocytopenia.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Thrombocythemia and Thrombocytosis.Natioinal Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Thrombocythemia and Thrombocytosis.MedlinePlus.Platelet Tests.Johns Hopkins Medicine.What are platelets and why are they important?Additional ReadingGauer RL, Braun MM.Thrombocytopenia.Am Fam Physician. 2012 Mar 15;85(6):612-22.Testing.com.Platelet count (PLT) blood test.University of Rochester Medical Center. Health Encyclopedia:What Are Platelets?Ioannis A Voutsadakis.Thrombocytosis as a prognostic marker in gastrointestinal cancers.World J Gastrointest Oncol.2014 Feb 15; 6(2): 34–40.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Rochester Medical Center. Health Encyclopedia.What Are Platelets?National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Thrombocytopenia.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Thrombocythemia and Thrombocytosis.Natioinal Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Thrombocythemia and Thrombocytosis.MedlinePlus.Platelet Tests.Johns Hopkins Medicine.What are platelets and why are they important?Additional ReadingGauer RL, Braun MM.Thrombocytopenia.Am Fam Physician. 2012 Mar 15;85(6):612-22.Testing.com.Platelet count (PLT) blood test.University of Rochester Medical Center. Health Encyclopedia:What Are Platelets?Ioannis A Voutsadakis.Thrombocytosis as a prognostic marker in gastrointestinal cancers.World J Gastrointest Oncol.2014 Feb 15; 6(2): 34–40.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
University of Rochester Medical Center. Health Encyclopedia.What Are Platelets?National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Thrombocytopenia.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Thrombocythemia and Thrombocytosis.Natioinal Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Thrombocythemia and Thrombocytosis.MedlinePlus.Platelet Tests.Johns Hopkins Medicine.What are platelets and why are they important?
University of Rochester Medical Center. Health Encyclopedia.What Are Platelets?
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Thrombocytopenia.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Thrombocythemia and Thrombocytosis.
Natioinal Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Thrombocythemia and Thrombocytosis.
MedlinePlus.Platelet Tests.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.What are platelets and why are they important?
Gauer RL, Braun MM.Thrombocytopenia.Am Fam Physician. 2012 Mar 15;85(6):612-22.Testing.com.Platelet count (PLT) blood test.University of Rochester Medical Center. Health Encyclopedia:What Are Platelets?Ioannis A Voutsadakis.Thrombocytosis as a prognostic marker in gastrointestinal cancers.World J Gastrointest Oncol.2014 Feb 15; 6(2): 34–40.
Gauer RL, Braun MM.Thrombocytopenia.Am Fam Physician. 2012 Mar 15;85(6):612-22.
Testing.com.Platelet count (PLT) blood test.
University of Rochester Medical Center. Health Encyclopedia:What Are Platelets?
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