What does platelets count mean

It can help show if there are defects in the platelets. Flow cytometry. This is a test that uses lasers to look for proteins on the surface of platelets.

It can help diagnose inherited platelet disorders. This is a specialized test. It is only available at certain hospitals and laboratories. Bleeding time.

This test measures the amount of time for bleeding to stop after small cuts are made in the forearm. It was once commonly used to screen for a variety of platelet disorders.

Now, other platelet function tests are used more often. The newer tests provide more reliable results. What are they used for? Platelet function tests may be used to: Help diagnose certain platelet diseases Check platelet function during complex surgical procedures , such as cardiac bypass and trauma surgery.

These types of procedures have an increased risk of bleeding. Check patients before surgery, if they have a personal or family history of bleeding disorders Monitor people who are taking blood thinners. These medicines may be given to reduce clotting in people at risk for heart attack or stroke. Why do I need a platelet test? Symptoms of too few platelets include: Prolonged bleeding after a minor cut or injury Nosebleeds Unexplained bruising Pinpoint sized red spots on the skin, known as petechiae Purplish spots on the skin, known as purpura.

These may be caused by bleeding under the skin. What happens during a platelet test? Most platelet tests are done on a blood sample. Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?

You don't need any special preparations for a platelet count test If you are getting a platelet function test, you may need to stop taking certain medicines, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, before your test. Are there any risks to the test? Platelet Clumping. Platelet clumping is a rare occurrence where platelets in a blood test sample stick together. This has no clinical relevance, but can result in a false low platelet count. The clump of platelets is too large to be recognised by the analyzer as made from platelets, so the analyzer is programmed to disregard them.

This results in a platelet count result which is lower than it actually is. This situation is sometimes referred to as pseudothrombocytopenia.

One of the adverse effects of some clinical trial drugs is very low platelet counts. Certain drugs destroy blood platelets or prevent the bone marrow from making normal amounts of platelets. As a safety precaution, researchers assess the blood platelet counts of trial participants frequently. If extreme adverse effects are discovered in a patient, he or she could be pulled out of the study. As discussed earlier, thrombocytopenia is a medical disorder in which the blood has an abnormally low platelet count lower than , platelets per microlitre of blood.

Platelet antibodies can be produced as a side effect to certain drugs, such as heparin, or for unknown reasons. Your doctor may also order blood-clotting tests, which includes partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time. These tests simply require a sample of your blood. Certain chemicals will be added to the sample to determine how long it takes your blood to clot.

If your doctor suspects that your spleen is enlarged, they may order an ultrasound. This test will use sound waves to make a picture of your spleen.

It can help your doctor determine if your spleen is the proper size. During an aspiration, your doctor will use a needle to remove a small amount of bone marrow from one of your bones.

A bone marrow biopsy may also be ordered. Your doctor will use a needle to take a sample of your core bone marrow, usually from the hipbone. It may be performed at the same time as a bone marrow aspiration. The treatment for a low platelet count depends on the cause and severity of your condition.

If your condition is mild, your doctor may wish to hold off on treatment and simply monitor you. Your doctor may recommend that you take measures to prevent your condition from worsening. This could include:.

Not everyone with a low platelet count needs treatment. Some conditions that cause a low platelet count will eventually clear up. The platelet count will return to healthy levels in those cases. However, people with severe cases may need treatment. Health Home Conditions and Diseases. What are Platelets and Why are They Important? What is a healthy platelet count? What it means to have too many platelets The medical term for having too many platelets is thrombocytosis, and there are two types: Primary or essential thrombocytosis — Abnormal cells in the bone marrow cause an increase in platelets, but the reason is unknown.

Secondary thrombocytosis — The same condition as primary thrombocytosis, but may be caused by an ongoing condition or disease such as anemia, cancer, inflammation, or infection. There are a wide range of causes, including: Medications An inherited condition Certain types of cancer, such as leukemia or lymphoma Chemotherapy treatment for cancer Kidney infection or dysfunction Too much alcohol How platelets relate to cardiovascular disease If you have too many platelets, it can increase your risk for clotting.

Keeping track of your platelets Too many platelets, too few platelets, abnormally functioning platelets, and related conditions such as blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks can be inherited.