Thrombocytes. Platelets, bleeding disorders and other medical conditions

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Thrombocytes, also known as platelets or platelets, are, in addition to white and red blood cells, the morphotic elements of blood. Platelets play a key role in the clotting process. Their level is determined by the complete blood count. Check what are the norms for thrombocytes and what diseases may indicate disturbances in their number.

How are platelets formed?

Platelets are formed in the bone marrow by a process called thrombopoiesis. Thrombocytes are not fully functional cells, but their fragments. For example, they do not have a cell nucleus. They resemble lenses and their size reaches 3 µm, which is much smaller than red blood cells. They may be marked as PLT in the results of laboratory tests.

For platelets to form, megakaryocytes must first form. Thrombocytes are fragments of the cytoplasm separated from megakaryocytes, surrounded by a cell membrane. They contain numerous grains. Compared to red blood cells, which live up to 120 days, platelets have a very short life, only up to 10 days.

The platelet level is one of the basic measures of basic blood tests. Remember about prophylaxis – order a package of tests with travel to the patient, including a number of different tests (depending on the selected variant), including morphology.

Platelets – Role in the Body

The main role of platelets is to participate in clotting processes. When the vessel is broken, the thrombocytes immediately settle on the subendothelial matrix. There they stick together and form plate pin. It is not yet a clot, but a number of factors are released from platelets that initiate the clotting cascade. As a result, fibers are formed from the fibrin particles, between which platelets and red blood cells “fall”, causing a scab.

The platelets will also stimulate the growth of muscle tissue and vessels as well fibroblasts – connective tissue cells.

Indications for a thrombocyte test

The level of thrombocytes is determined by a complete blood count. Most often, the appropriate tests are ordered by a doctor based on an interview with the patient and after analyzing the symptoms. What situations suggest a need for a platelet test?

1. Bruises of unknown origin, which are formed easily and quickly.
2. Nose bleeding that occurs frequently.
3. Heavy menstruation.
4. Heavy bleeding even with minor cuts.
5. Blood in stools, gastrointestinal bleeding. To detect the presence of occult blood in the stool, a diagnostic test from a pharmacy is enough (check the offer).
6. Blue spots on the skin which may be caused by bleeding under the skin.
7. Red tiny spots on the skin that look like a rash.

Na the level of thrombocytes in the blood attention is paid mainly when there is a suspicion of anomalies based on specific symptoms. Sometimes the imbalance in the number of blood morphotic elements can also be found out by accident, when we perform a prophylactic morphology. It is precisely because of the chance of early detection of health problems that it is recommended to perform a blood count at least once a year.

1. Find out more: Morphology – when is it worth doing?

Platelets – the course of the study

Test material: serum.

Preparation for the platelet test: the patient does not need to be fasting. Before performing the test, you should be refreshed and avoid exercise the day before.

The course of the study: blood is collected from a vein in the arm with a disposable needle and test tube. After collecting the material, apply pressure to the injection site for a few minutes.

Waiting time for the platelet test result: 1 Day.

Standards: 150–400 tys. on microliters.

Platelets – norms

The norm of the number of platelets in the blood is 150-400 thousand. per microliter. Men tend to have slightly more platelets than women. Measurement of the number of thrombocytes in the blood can be made with a haemocytometer or with an automatic thrombocyte analyzer, e.g. Coulter counter. Platelet counts are normally measured with normal blood counts.

Basic blood tests should be performed by everyone at least once a year. Morphology, cholesterol and sugar is a test package that you can buy on the Medonet Market website, and then perform it in several hundred facilities throughout the country. Take the first step to health today.

The norms of thrombocytes may differ from each other, it depends on the laboratory where the test is performed. It is also worth remembering that the results of the morphology take into account additional indicators related to thrombocytes. They are useful mainly when the standards adopted for PLT are exceeded. Belong to them:

1. MPV. This is information about the mean platelet volume, which has a diagnostic value only when it is analyzed together with other parameters measured in morphology. Low MPV levels can be associated with disturbances in platelet production, including bone marrow disease, and high levels with acute inflammation or leukemia.
2. PDW. An indicator related to the variability of the volume of platelets (anisocytosis). If it is abnormal, it should be compared with other parameters describing thrombocytes. If normal, the deviation from the norm should not be clinically relevant.
3. P-LCR. Based on this indicator, we know the percentage of large platelets in the total number of thrombocytes.

Do you need interpretation of test results? Are you wondering what the individual standards mean? Make an appointment with your family doctor on the haloDoctor.pl website. You will quickly and safely find out if your results may indicate worrying symptoms and give you appropriate treatment.

Platelets related diseases and disorders

Abnormalities in the number of platelets – both their deficiency and excess – are usually indicative of disease states. Disorders of the function of the platelets themselves are slightly less frequent.

In thrombocytopenia, the platelet formation process is usually impaired, or the platelets deteriorate too quickly, or a combination of the two. Reduced platelet production can be a consequence of, for example, congenital leukemia, neonatal rubella, aplastic anemia, and kidney failure. On the other hand excessive destruction of thrombocytes it occurs as a result of prematurity, with renal purpura or after transfusions. Thrombocytopenia is also a symptom of porphyria.

Increased level of platelets, or thrombocytosis, may be the result of various types of birth defects, chronic infections, an ongoing cancer process in the body, or myeloproliferative syndrome.

Thrombocytosis (thrombocythemia) – causes

Having platelets above normal is a condition known as thrombocytosis. Increased values ​​may appear:

1. after surgery to remove the spleen,
2. after childbirth,
3. after excessive physical activity,
4. in cancer of the bone marrow,
5. in infections,
6. in essential thrombocythemia.

Thrombocytosis often leads to thrombosis, especially after surgeries, strokes or extensive hemorrhages.

Thrombocytopenia (thrombocytopenia) – causes

Thrombocytopenia occurs when the level of platelets in the blood is low. This condition may appear:

1. after radiotherapy or chemotherapy,
2. in diseases such as: typhoid, mononucleosis or measles,
3. in diseases of the spleen,
4. if you have a bone marrow failure
5. with a small amount of vitamin B12 and folic acid in the diet.
6. when taking a certain group of painkillers or antibiotics,
7. if bacteria destroy thrombocytes,
8. due to autoimmune diseases.

Thrombocytes – Interpretation of Results

Please consult your doctor about results of blood tests that include information about thrombocytes. Not always deviations from the norm indicate the development of the disease. All parameters visible in the morphology are interpreted in the context of symptoms, information about chronic diseases in the family, past diseases and other tests. Sometimes deviations from the norm also result from the individual circumstances of a given person. On the other hand, an incorrect PLT result in combination with other abnormalities in morphology and disease symptoms is an important prerequisite for detailed diagnostics.

Drugs that interfere with the action of platelets

Remember that medications can affect the way platelets work in your body. One of them is, for example, the popular aspirin, which reduces blood clotting. On the other hand, desmopressin makes the clot much easier.

If your low platelet count is due to a deficiency of vitamin B12 and folate, supplementation with these vitamins should be considered, of course after prior examination and consultation with your doctor.

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