Platelets

Complete Blood CountBlood HealthBlood

Platelets are tiny cell fragments that form clots when a blood vessel is damaged. They mix with clotting factors to seal the injury and stop the bleeding.

Why it matters: Too few platelets can lead to excessive bleeding. Too many may stick together and cause unnecessary clotting in the blood vessels.

Source · Cleveland Clinic — what it is, why it matters, what moves it, related conditions

Reference Range
150.0 – 400.010x9/L
150
400LowNormalHigh
What Moves It

May increase with:

Physical stress such as surgery or infection
Rare blood disorders that raise production

May decrease with:

Autoimmune diseases that destroy platelets
Cancers that slow production
Chemotherapy
Some medicines
Associated Conditions
Cancer, infections or other health problems, which too few platelets can be a sign of
Related Markers
MPVIron
Common questions

What is Platelets?

Platelets are tiny cell fragments that form clots when a blood vessel is damaged. They mix with clotting factors to seal the injury and stop the bleeding.

What might a high or low Platelets mean?

Too few platelets can lead to excessive bleeding. Too many may stick together and cause unnecessary clotting in the blood vessels.

What is the typical reference range for Platelets?

The general-population reference range shown here is 150 – 400 10x9/L. Reference ranges describe the general population and are not a personal target — discuss your results with your physician.

What can affect Platelets?

It may be higher with: Physical stress such as surgery or infection, Rare blood disorders that raise production. It may be lower with: Autoimmune diseases that destroy platelets, Cancers that slow production, Chemotherapy, Some medicines.

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