Platelet Count in Bangalore

A Platelet Test at home counts the number of platelets, also known as thrombocytes, in the blood. They appear like small plates when seen under a microscope; hence the name. These small blood cells are crucial for blood clotting, the process that stops bleeding after an injury by forming clots. Doctors may request a Platelet Test during routine physical examinations or if there is a suspicion of conditions such as thrombocytopenia (a low platelet count) or thrombocytosis (a high platelet count). The primary purpose of a Platelet Test is to monitor or diagnose disorders associated with excessive bleeding or clotting. This test is often part of a complete blood count, a common component of regular medical checkups. Additionally, this test aids in assessing platelet function during complex surgeries like cardiac bypass which carries a higher risk of bleeding and evaluates patients with a personal or family history of bleeding disorders before surgery. This test is also used to monitor individuals on blood-thinning medications, which are prescribed to reduce clotting in those at risk for heart attacks or strokes. Platelet count testing is also required for patients suffering from dengue. During dengue infection, platelet counts often drop due to the virus’s attack. Hence, regular Platelet Count test in individuals with Dengue can predict and track recovery from dengue fever (DF), dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF), and dengue shock syndrome (DSS), and guide treatment decisions.

The result of a Platelet Count Blood test is given below:

Normal range: 150-450 [10^3/µL]

Low Count

Reasons for a low platelet count include:

Severe bleeding following an injury

Bacterial or viral infections

Certain medications like antibiotics

Drinking excess alcohol

Dengue fever

Contact with harmful chemicals like arsenic

Diseases in which the body attacks its own healthy cells like rheumatoid arthritis

Blood disorders like thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Genetic disorders such as Von Willebrand disease

Blood cancers such as leukaemia

Treatment for cancers such as chemotherapy

A low platelet count could also be due to diminished platelet supply because of conditions like haemolytic uremic syndrome that deplete or destroy platelets. Additionally, the spleen may also sometimes trap platelets, preventing their circulation in the bloodstream.

High Count

Reasons for a high platelet count include:

Reactive Thrombocytosis

An injury Bacterial or viral infections

Inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis

Failure of kidney

Undergoing treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency

Certain medications like adrenalin

Blood disorders like anaemia

Spleen removal

Certain surgical procedures like abdominal surgery

Certain cancers such as breast cancer

A high platelet count may result from a hereditary disorder caused by a JAK2 gene mutation, leading to the bone marrow’s excessive production of platelets, which progressively develops over time.