BLOOD PLATELETS

PLATELETS

Platelets, or thrombocytes, are small, colorless cell fragments in our blood that form clots and stop or prevent bleeding. Platelets are made in our bone marrow, the sponge-like tissue inside our bones. Bone marrow contains stem cells that develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Functions of Platelets:

Platelets control bleeding in our bodies, so they can be essential to surviving surgeries such as organ transplant, as well as fighting cancer, chronic diseases, and traumatic injuries. Donor platelets are given to patients who don’t have enough of their own, a condition known as thrombocytopenia, or when a person’s platelets aren’t working correctly. Raising the patient’s blood platelet count reduces the risk of dangerous or even fatal bleeding.

Platelets count test :

The test gives a platelet count per microliter (mcL) of blood.

The measurement is the number of platelets a person has, on average, per microliter.

The ideal platelet range is 150,000 to 400,000 per mcL in most healthy people.

Low platelet count is known as thrombocytopenia. High platelet count is known as thrombocytosis. The test can be done on its own or as part of a CBC test. A doctor will often perform a platelet count test if they suspect a person has a disorder that affects platelet count.

What Causes Low Platelets?

A low platelet count occurs when:

A person’s bone marrow is damaged and unable to make enough of its own platelets. This can be caused by certain cancers, such as Leukemia – and it can also be caused by cancer treatments.
Platelets have been lost due to severe bleeding, such as following a traumatic injury or during surgery.
Platelets have been destroyed by autoimmune diseases, certain medicines, infections, or other conditions.
The patient’s spleen, which filters the blood stream, removes too many platelets.

Symptoms of low platelets :

Bruising easily and unusual bleeding, such as excessive bleeding from a small cut or blood in urine or stool.

What happens if your platelet count is high or low?

These are health conditions linked to abnormal platelets or abnormal platelet counts:

·       Thrombocytopenia. In this condition, your bone marrow makes too few platelets. Or your platelets are destroyed. If your platelet count gets too low, bleeding can occur under the skin as a bruise. Or it can happen inside the body as internal bleeding. Or it can happen outside the body through a cut that won't stop bleeding or from a nosebleed. Thrombocytopenia can be caused by many conditions. These include several medicines, cancer, liver disease, pregnancy, infections, and an abnormal immune system.

·       Essential thrombocythemia. In this condition, your bone marrow makes too many platelets. People with this condition may have platelet counts of more than 1 million, which can lead to bleeding. Other symptoms can include blood clots that form and block blood supply to the brain or the heart. Doctors don't fully know what causes this type of thrombocythemia, but changes in bone marrow cells (called mutations) can lead to some cases.

·       Secondary thrombocytosis. This is another condition caused by too many platelets. Secondary thrombocytosis is more common. It's not caused by a bone marrow problem. Instead, another disease or condition stimulates the bone marrow to make more platelets. Causes include infection, inflammation, some types of cancer, and reactions to medicines. Symptoms are usually not serious. The platelet count goes back to normal when the other condition gets better.

Platelets are tiny but important cells in your blood that help your body control bleeding. If you have symptoms such as easy bruising, a cut that keeps bleeding, or frequent nosebleeds, let your healthcare provider know. A simple blood test is all you need to find out if your platelet count is normal.