Why is platelet count important

Too many platelets, too few platelets, abnormally functioning platelets, and related conditions such as blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks can be inherited. There is no concrete answer to that yet. If you have a new or existing heart problem, it's vital to see a doctor.

Our heart health checklist can help you determine when to seek care. Health Home Conditions and Diseases. What are Platelets and Why are They Important? What is a healthy platelet count? A high platelet count can happen when something causes the bone marrow to make too many platelets. When the reason is unknown, it is called primary, or essential, thrombocytosis. When excess platelets are due to an infection or other condition, it is called secondary thrombocytosis.

Clotting is a natural protection against bleeding. The body produces more platelets during and following an injury. However, because platelets cause blood clotting, they can also cause dangerous blood clots in the arms or legs. The blood clot may break off or travel to another area of the body.

The risk of a blood clot is higher in people who are confined to bed by illness or who cannot move their limbs. Someone who has an elevated platelet count because of a recent injury but who must remain in bed may need monitoring to reduce the risk of blood clots as a result.

Some temporary conditions can cause a higher than normal platelet count. A doctor may order a retest a few days or weeks later when this happens. Some common reasons that platelets are temporarily elevated include:. A low platelet count can make it difficult for the blood to clot, putting a person at risk of excessive bleeding. The cause may be due to an inherited tendency to not produce enough platelets, but the cause may also be unknown.

In other cases, it is due to an underlying medical condition. If the blood platelet count falls below 20, per mcL, a person can begin bleeding spontaneously. People who experience spontaneous bleeding may require a blood transfusion. Low platelet count increases the risk of death in people who have recently experienced a traumatic injury.

Low platelet count can be divided into 3 main causes:. If your platelets are low, talk to your health care provider about how to prevent bleeding and what to do if you are bleeding. A higher-than-normal number of platelets is called thrombocytosis. It means your body is making too many platelets. Causes may include:. Some people with high platelet counts may be at risk of forming blood clots or even bleeding too much. Blood clots can lead to serious medical problems.

There is little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another, and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include:. Cantor AB. Why do I need a platelet test? Symptoms of too few platelets include: Prolonged bleeding after a minor cut or injury Nosebleeds Unexplained bruising Pinpoint sized red spots on the skin, known as petechiae Purplish spots on the skin, known as purpura.

These may be caused by bleeding under the skin. What happens during a platelet test? Most platelet tests are done on a blood sample. Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test? You don't need any special preparations for a platelet count test If you are getting a platelet function test, you may need to stop taking certain medicines, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, before your test.

Are there any risks to the test? What do the results mean? If your results show a lower than normal platelet count thrombocytopenia , it may indicate: A cancer that affects the blood, such as leukemia or lymphoma A viral infection , such as mononucleosis , hepatitis , or measles An autoimmune disease.

This is a disorder that causes the body to attack its own healthy tissues, which can include platelets. Infection or damage to the bone marrow Cirrhosis Vitamin B12 deficiency Gestational thrombocytopenia, a common, but mild, low-platelet condition affecting pregnant women. It is not known to cause any harm to a mother or her unborn baby. It usually gets better on its own during pregnancy or after birth. If your results show a higher than normal platelet count thrombocytosis , it may indicate: Certain types of cancer, such as lung cancer or breast cancer Anemia Inflammatory bowel disease Rheumatoid arthritis A viral or bacterial infection If your platelet function test results were not normal, it may mean you have an inherited or acquired platelet disorder.

Inherited platelet disorders include: Von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that reduces the production of platelets or causes the platelets to work less effectively.

It can cause excess bleeding. Glanzmann's thrombasthenia, a disorder that affects platelets' ability to clump together Bernard-Soulier syndrome, another disorder that affects platelets' ability to clump together Storage pool disease, a condition that affects platelets' ability to release substances that help platelets clump together Acquired platelet disorders may be due to chronic diseases such as: Kidney failure Certain types of leukemia Myelodysplastic syndrome MDS , a disease of the bone marrow.

Is there anything else I need to know about platelet function tests? Platelet tests are sometimes done along with one or more of the following blood tests: MPV blood test , which measures the size of your platelets Partial thromboplastin time PTT test , which measures the time it takes for blood to clot Prothrombin time and INR test , which checks the body's ability to form blood clots. References Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Cleveland OH : Cleveland Clinic; c Thrombocytopenia: Overview; [cited Oct 25]; [about 3 screens].

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