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Platelet (Thrombocyte) Count

Up to date🔬 Evidence: ModerateHematology
Diğer adları: Platelet count, PLT, Thrombocyte count
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Discuss your test results with your doctor. This page is for informational purposes only and does not provide a diagnosis.

Key Facts

• Measures the number of platelets (thrombocytes) circulating in the blood • Normal: 150,000–450,000/µL • Part of the CBC • Both high and low counts require clinical evaluation

🧪 What Does This Test Measure?

The platelet count measures the number of thrombocytes circulating in the blood, which are essential for blood clotting and wound repair.

📋 Why Is It Ordered?

Ordered for bleeding or clotting disorder evaluation, hematologic disease assessment, preoperative screening, and medication monitoring.

🔧 Preparation

Part of the CBC. No special preparation is generally required. EDTA-induced pseudothrombocytopenia should be considered if count is unexpectedly low.

📊 Reference Ranges

Normal: 150,000–450,000/µL (150–450 × 10⁹/L) Mild thrombocytopenia: 100,000–150,000/µL Moderate: 50,000–100,000/µL Severe: <50,000/µL ⚠️ Reference ranges vary by laboratory.

⬆️ High Values

Elevated platelets (thrombocytosis) may be associated with infection, iron deficiency, post-surgical response, or myeloproliferative disorders.

⬇️ Low Values

Low platelets (thrombocytopenia) may be associated with immune thrombocytopenia, medication effects, liver disease, bone marrow disorders, or pseudothrombocytopenia.

⚙️ What Can Affect Results?

Pseudothrombocytopenia (EDTA artifact), pregnancy, exercise, medications, and daily variation may affect platelet results.

🔬 Evidence Summary

Moderate evidence: 1 guideline, 1 systematic review, and 5 reviews.

Key Takeaways

💡

What you learned: Platelet count reflects clotting capacity. Both thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis require evaluation for underlying causes.

A platelet count alone cannot diagnose a clotting disorder. Clinical context and additional tests may be needed.

🔬 Sources Used on This Page

7 sources · Most recent publication: 2024
📋
Guideline
Expert society and guideline recommendations
1
source
📊
Systematic review / meta-analysis
Combined analysis of multiple studies
1
source
📖
Review
Comprehensive topic evaluation
5
sources
Overall assessment: Evidence level for this topic is strong. This page is supported by 1 guideline, 1 systematic review/meta-analysis, 5 reviews.

📝 Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Be prepared for your appointment. Add questions to your list.

Last reviewed: 4/2/2026
Next review: 7/2/2026

🔗 Related Topics

🧪 Hemogram (tam kan sayımı)🧪 Ferritin (demir eksikliği-trombositoz ilişkisi)🧪 CRP (enflamatuvar trombositoz değerlendirmesi)🧪 D-dimer (pıhtılaşma değerlendirmesi)
⚖️ This page does not replace medical advice. Make treatment decisions with your doctor.
Content is based on scientific studies indexed in PubMed and current clinical guidelines.