Platelet count blood test:

Definition:
 platelet count:

A Platelet Dependent Check This laboratory check measures the amount of platelets in your blood.. Platelets, also called thrombocytes, are small, round cell fragments that circulate in your blood and are necessary for the formation of blood clots. A blood clot is a mass of blood that forms in the body to stop bleeding .Platelets are one of the three main components of blood along with red blood cells and white blood cells.

A platelet count test can show whether platelet levels are too low or too high. Low platelet levels make it difficult for the body to form blood clots, which can lead to heavy bleeding. High platelet levels can cause heavy clotting. Blood clots in the blood vessels can collect in the lungs, intestines, brain or heart and can lead to serious medical conditions.

Objective of the test:

The purpose of the platelet count test is to assess your blood's capacity or ability to clot. Although the platelet count is often included in multi-test panels such as a complete blood count, this test can also be done on its own.

*A platelet count may be done by your doctor as part of a routine blood test. A platelet count is also ordered:

*Diagnose a platelet disorder.

*Assess the risk of bleeding before surgery.

*Monitor you during medical treatment such as blood thinners or chemotherapy.

*Platelet counts are used to diagnose disease and determine the cause of excessive bleeding or clotting. Both high platelet counts and low platelet counts can have risks associated with them, ranging from causing no noticeable health problems to very serious and life-threatening.

*Platelet count tests are also used to monitor patients diagnosed with a clotting condition. Regularly conducting platelet counts allows doctors to check the effectiveness of

Symptoms of low platelets:

Bleeding is the primary sign and symptom of a low platelet count. Early symptoms of a low platelet count can occur anywhere in the body and include but are not limited to:

*Lesions that are purple, reddish, or brown, occur easily and often.

*Small pink and red dots at the skin.

*Unusually prolonged bleeding, including from minor cuts

*Bleeding from the nose or mouth

*Heavy vaginal bleeding in general, especially during menstruation

*Chechesway Bleeding All Through Dental Work, Including Flossing, Oral Surgery.

*Blood in the urine or stool, or rectal bleeding

Symptoms of high platelet levels:

*Symptoms of high platelet levels are mainly related to spotting clots and bleeding. These may include:

*Weakness or dizziness.

*Unexpected headache

*Chest pain

*Swelling in hands and feet

*Pain, swelling, warmth, and/or tenderness in one or both lower extremities

In some cases a very high platelet count can result in signs and symptoms that indicate a low platelet count. This happens because too many clots have formed in the body and there are not enough platelets left in the blood vessels to break up the clot. These signs and 

symptoms include:

*Bleeding from several parts of the body at once

*shortness of breath

*Confusion and changes in memory or behavior

*fever

Taking a platelet count test:

A platelet count test requires a blood sample ordered by a doctor that is collected in a clinical setting by a licensed professional, such as a phlebotomist.

Before the test:

No special preparation is required before a platelet count test unless otherwise specified by your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider may order a platelet count as part of a complete blood count, or along with other blood tests.

If you are getting more than one blood test, your provider may ask you not to eat anything for a certain amount of time before the test. If you have questions or concerns about preparing for a test, contact your healthcare provider for detailed instructions.

During the test:

A blood sample for a platelet count is taken from a vein in your arm or from your arm by a healthcare professional trained to draw blood called a phlebotomist. The phlebotomist will tie a tourniquet around your upper arm to increase the blood pressure in your arm vein so it's easier to find. They will clean your skin around the vein with an antiseptic wipe. 

Then they will insert a needle to draw blood from the vein. They will then attach a vacuum tube to the needle to help draw blood from the vein and, if drawing blood for multiple tests, they may attach several different tubes.

There may be a slight stinging sensation when the needle is initially inserted into your arm. The pain usually doesn't last long, and the test itself can be completed in under a minute.

After the test:

After the procedure is complete, the phlebotomist will place folded gauze and a bandage over the site to reduce bleeding, remove the tourniquet, and remove the needle.

The primary risk associated with bleeding is local bruising at the needle puncture site. If you have low platelets, the rash may last longer than usual. Because a low platelet count reduces your blood's ability to clot, it may be recommended that the strip be left on for a certain period of time.

The phlebotomist may ask you to stay at the facility for a few minutes so he can monitor you for dizziness, before returning to normal activities, including walking and driving.

Do I need a follow-up test:

Depending on the results of your platelet count test, it's possible that your doctor will order follow-up tests to learn more about your overall health. Commonly ordered follow-up tests include:

Complete blood count: If your platelet count does not match the context of your symptoms and other test results, your doctor may order a complete blood count panel to confirm the results before more extensive evaluation or intervention. Can reset.

Peripheral blood smear: An automated blood count device is often used to measure blood counts, including platelet counts. A peripheral blood smear involves manually analyzing a blood sample under a microscope and can be used to confirm an abnormal result on an automated platelet count.

HIV or HCV test: A low platelet count is often seen in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Follow-up testing can be used to rule out or confirm the presence of HIV or HCV as the cause of low platelets.

Other tests may be done to diagnose the cause of the abnormal platelets. Testing depends on the specific conditions suspected. If you receive an abnormal platelet count result, your doctor can help you understand what follow-up tests are recommended for you and why.

Platelet count test results

Obtaining test results

Platelet count results may be available within minutes to days after the blood sample arrives at the laboratory, depending on the laboratory equipment.If not immediately available, a copy of your results may be sent to you by mail or through the electronic health portal. It's also possible that your healthcare provider may call you to discuss the results, retest, or schedule an appointment to review them together.

Interpretation of test results:

Test results are interpreted against a test reference range. A reference range is the range of results that is considered a normal result. Platelet test results that fall outside the reference range indicate that platelet levels may be too low or too high.

The reference range for platelet count gives a wide range of normal results. This reflects the range of platelet levels that allow most people to function without adverse health problems. Specific guidelines vary from laboratory to laboratory, and your results should be interpreted in the context of your overall health risk factors.

The American Board of Internal Medicine lists a normal platelet count range of 150,000 to 450,000 per microliter.

Some populations have slightly higher platelet counts, including:

Women

Younger people compared to older people

Non-Hispanic black individuals when compared with white individuals.

Your doctor may consider retesting if your platelet numbers show a significant drop or rise from one test to the next, even if they are in the normal range, as this may indicate a potential problem.

If you have a platelet count test result that is lower than expected, your doctor will consider whether another condition is causing or contributing to the low platelet count. Some of the causes and risk factors associated with low platelet count are:

*Certain cancers

*Aplastic anemia

*Autoimmune diseases and conditions

*Some medicines

*Viral or bacterial infection

*Genetic condition

*Heavy alcohol consumption

*pregnancy

Other conditions can cause or increase the risk of an elevated platelet count:

*Rare genetic conditions

*Bone marrow conditions

*Certain cancers

*Iron deficiency or hemolytic anemia

*Inflammatory disease

*Infections such as tuberculosis

*Adverse drug reactions

*Severe anemia

*Recovering from low blood platelet counts due to heavy alcohol use or vitamin B12 or folate deficiency

*Physical activity

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