When you get a small cut, the bleeding stops after a while, right? Or sometimes when you get hit somewhere, you turn blue and a blood clot forms, right? One of the main heroes behind all this is a group of tiny cells in our blood. We call these platelets . They're like our body's natural "plaster " . When a blood vessel is damaged, these platelets rush in and seal the hole and stop the bleeding.
Simply put, what is a platelet count?
Platelet Count is a very simple, routine blood test. It measures how many platelets are in your blood. There are tens of thousands of these platelets in just one drop of blood.
Most of the time, your doctor won't check your platelet count on its own. It's usually done as part of a larger test called a complete blood count (CBC) . We also call this a full blood count (FBC) . This test can tell you everything you need to know about your platelets, white blood cells, and red blood cells. It's the platelet count that's listed as "PLT" on your blood report.
At what time does a doctor recommend doing this test?
There may be several reasons why your doctor might order this test.
- During a general health check-up: As part of a routine check-up to find out how your general health is.
- If you suspect a medical condition: If your doctor suspects that your platelet count is low or high, they will order this test.
- Thrombocytopenia: A lower than normal number of platelets in the blood.
- Thrombocytosis: An increase in the number of platelets in the blood above normal levels.
How do you prepare for this blood test?
The best part is that it doesn't require much preparation. However, sometimes if your doctor wants to do other tests with the same blood sample, you may be advised to fast for a few hours before the test.
Therefore, before donating blood, be sure to ask your doctor if there are any special instructions or medications that you need to stop taking.
What happens when you take the test?
It only takes a few minutes to give blood. This can be done at your doctor's office, a hospital, or a lab. Here's what happens when blood is drawn:
- A nurse or a phlebotomist will select a vein in your arm near your elbow.
- Then a tourniquet is placed around the upper arm. This helps the blood vessels fill with blood, making it easier to draw blood.
- The skin is cleaned where the vein is and a needle is inserted. You may feel a slight stinging sensation as the needle goes in.
- Then, the required amount of blood is taken into a small tube.
- Finally, the needle and the tape are removed, and a small piece of plaster is applied to the puncture site.
Some people have a slight fear of needles. This is very normal. If you feel that way too, take a deep breath and relax. It can also help to look away while your blood is being drawn.
What do the test results mean?
The real work happens after you donate blood. At the lab, your blood sample is put into a machine and the platelet count is counted. When the results come back, you can tell if your platelet count is healthy, low, or high.
| Status | The number of platelets per microliter of blood |
|---|---|
| Healthy Level (Normal Range) | Between 150,000 and 400,000 |
| Low platelet count (Thrombocytopenia) | Less than 150,000 |
| Increased platelet count (Thrombocytosis) | More than 450,000 |
If your platelet count is outside this normal range, you may need further testing to find the cause. But remember, there are many reasons why your platelet count may be low or high. Not all of them are serious conditions.
What happens if the platelet count decreases (Thrombocytopenia)?
If your platelet count is low, you may not have enough platelets to clot and stop bleeding when you get hurt. This can cause you to bleed more than normal .
Remember, a very low platelet count can be life-threatening, as internal bleeding may not be stopped.
But not everyone with low platelets will have serious problems. Sometimes you may not even notice any symptoms. Some of the main reasons for this are:
- Autoimmune diseases: Destruction of platelets by the body's own immune system.
- Cancer and cancer treatments: Some types of cancer and chemotherapy for cancer can cause a decrease in platelet production.
- Certain medications: This condition can also occur as a side effect of some medications you take.
What happens if the platelet count increases (Thrombocytosis)?
If the number of platelets increases too much, they can stick together and form unwanted blood clots inside the blood vessels . These blood clots can cause serious conditions such as heart attacks and strokes .
But most of the time, an increase in platelet count is temporary. For example, after surgery or an infection, platelet production may temporarily increase as a response to the body. If your doctor suspects this, they will test you again in a few days to see if your platelet count has returned to normal.
Very rarely, some people may have a blood disorder that causes them to produce too many platelets. In such cases, your doctor will prescribe treatment to control it.
Does Platelet Count Change with Age?
The normal healthy range (150,000 - 400,000) does not change much with age. However, it is normal for the platelet count to decrease slightly after the age of 60. If it is within the healthy range, there is nothing to worry about.
What levels should you pay attention to?
A platelet count below 50,000 is a dangerous condition because at that level, the risk of bleeding increases even when you go about your normal daily activities.
But the most important thing is not to just look at the number on the report and make your own decisions. What's important is to find out what's causing your platelet count to be low or high. So, always talk to your doctor about your test results.
Take-Home Message
- Platelet Count is a simple, quick blood test that measures the number of platelets in the blood.
- These platelets are what help stop bleeding in our bodies.
- Don't panic if your platelet count is "low" or "high" on your report. There are many reasons for this, some of which may be temporary and harmless.
- The most important thing is to definitely show your blood test report to your doctor to find out exactly what caused it and what to do next.
- If you develop blue spots on your skin for no reason, or if bleeding does not stop even from a small cut, seek medical advice immediately.
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