What is the normal count of platelets: When to get yourself tested? | MrMed

 Before understanding what is low or high level of platelet count in your body, let us first understand what platelets exactly are, and what role they play in our body. So what are platelets?

Whenever we scratch or cut ourselves, we start bleeding. After a few minutes, we see the blood drying and forming a crusty texture and over the exposed skin. This is done in order to stop the cut from bleeding out more and more blood. This process of clotting in order to stop bleeding is carried out by colorless cell-like structures called platelets. So, Platelets are nothing but cell fragments that form clots to stop bleeding. Platelets are also known as Thrombocytes.

Platelet Count

Platelet count refers to the number of platelets in your bloodstream per microliter of blood. A normal human has an average platelet count of 150,000-200,000. For a woman, it is around 157,000-371,000, while that for men is 135,000-317,000 per microliter of blood.

Platelets only live in the body for around 10 days. So our bone marrow constantly creates millions of platelets per day. If your platelet count is higher or lower than the average range then it could indicate an underlying medical condition or a side effect of an ongoing medical condition.

When is an abnormal platelet count harmful?

When your platelet count is 450,000 per microliter of blood or higher, the condition is known as thrombocytosis. The excess of platelets can cause unnecessary clotting of blood or even bleed on the dysfunctioning of platelets.

On the other hand, a low platelet count of 150,000 per microliter of blood or lower, is a condition of thrombocytopenia. A count lower than 10,000 per microliter is known as severe thrombocytopenia. The deficiency of platelets can cause extreme cases of internal bleeding.

What happens in the platelet test?

There are two types of Platelets tests. One is to check the functioning of platelets and the other is for the count. The Platelets function test is done to measure the ability of platelets to create a clot. A platelet count test is done for the diagnosis of conditions causing too much bleeding or unnecessary clots. The counting test is often done as a part of a regular checkup.

When do you need to get yourself tested?

You may need a platelet count/functioning test in case you undergo the following symptoms.

Symptoms of thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) include:

●      Nosebleeds

●      Prolonged bleeding after a minor cut or injury

●      Unexplained bruising

●      bleeding into the skin that leading to tiny red spots

●      Purplish spots on the skin as a result of bleeding under the skin

●      Women might suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding

Symptoms of too many platelets include:

●      Numbness of hands and feet

●      Headache

●      Dizziness

●      Weakness

You may also need platelet function testing if you are:

●      Undergoing or undergone a complex surgery

●      Under a medication of clots reduction

Temporary conditions that can sway/affect the platelet count and functioning:

●      Recent injury

●      Birth Control pills consumption

●      Recent surgery

●      Vitamin b12 deficiency

●      Recovery from alcohol addiction

●      Intense physical activity (like running a marathon)

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