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Platelet Count Test in Delhi
Platelet Count Blood Test in Delhi
What are platelets?
Clotting is a process that aids in the cessation of bleeding. Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are blood cells critical for clotting. These are pretty tiny in size and are often discovered in the bloodstream at the site of the damage. Platelets aggregate at the site of damage and form a mesh-like layer, which can help reduce bleeding and form a clot in that location.
What is a platelet count test?
A platelet count test determines the number of platelets in your blood. A person possesses between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. Thrombocytopenia is when platelets are lower than the typical average level. A person with thrombocytopenia cannot produce blood clots effectively and may bleed profusely after a slight cut or injury. In contrast, thrombocytosis occurs when the normal platelet count exceeds the average platelet count. In contrast to thrombocytopenia, when a person has thrombocytosis, their blood clots excessively regardless of any damage or the need for clotting. Blood clots are extremely harmful because they can impede blood flow in unexpected areas if they circulate in the bloodstream.
What are the uses of a platelet count test?
Doctors often advise patients to have a platelet count test as part of their regular clinical checkup. It is frequently used to determine whether a person's platelets are within the normal range. A platelet count test can also aid in the early detection of illnesses and determine whether a person is a danger of excessive bleeding. In general, a Platelet blood test can be included in a complete blood count test, which can provide information on several other parameters. A platelet count test is highly recommended for dengue patients.
How should the results of a platelet count test be interpreted?
The normal platelet count can easily detect the average platelet level in the blood. The chart below shows the average platelet level and suggests whether a patient has a high platelet level or a low platelet level.
Platelet count
Result (per ml of blood)
High Platelet level (thrombocytosis)
more than 450,000
Normal platelet count
150,000–450,000
Low Platelet level (thrombocytopenia)
less than 150,000
What are the reasons for elevated platelet counts?
When a person's platelet count is high, the bone marrow generates an abnormally large number of platelets. Primary or essential thrombocytosis is the medical term for this illness. Excess platelets can also suggest an infection in the body, known as secondary thrombocytosis. Some of the most common causes of a high platelet count are:
Recovering from a recent injury that caused excessive blood loss
Suffering from a severe infection such as dengue
Excessive vitamin B12 consumption
Putting oneself through strenuous physical activity and exertion
A high platelet count can be caused by lung, stomach, and ovarian lymphoma cancers
A high platelet count accompanies anaemia
Tuberculosis infections
Rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease are examples of autoimmune diseases causing high platelet count
Undergoing splenectomy surgery
What factors contribute to a low platelet count?
A person's platelet count might be low for a variety of causes. The following are some of the most prevalent reasons for a low platelet count:
Platelet levels in the blood have been proven to be depleted by viral infections such as AIDS, HIV, and hepatitis.
Medications: Excessive medication intake, such as aspirin, quinidine, or antibiotics, may or may not diminish platelet count.
Cancer that has progressed to the bone marrow might impair its capacity to make new platelets, resulting in a drop in platelet count.
A chronic illness, such as a blood infection termed sepsis, can cause a decrease in platelet count.
Some autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and Crohn's disease, have also been linked to a low platelet count.
Who should have this test done?
If a person exhibits signs of having few platelets, they may require a specific test. Some of the signs of low platelet count include:
Bleeding over an extended time following a small cut or injury
The development of a blood clot is delayed.
Bruising all over the body for no apparent reason
A menstrual cycle that is unusually heavy and lengthy
Nosebleeds are common.
Many red dots on the skin of a person are known as petechiae.
People with a low platelet count will also have a distinct purple area on their skin, known as purpura. This purple area is typical since it is caused by bleeding beneath the skin.
When a person has an excess of platelets, the following are some of the most typical symptoms:
