Platelets are non-nucleated, disc-shaped blood components obtained from bone marrow. The platelet count is a very commonly requested test in the hematology laboratory. The tremendous technological advances in the last decades, especially the widespread availability of hematology analyzers, have revolutionized the counting and sizing of blood cells. A healthy blood system relies on normal platelet counts for proper blood clotting. Platelets are tiny cells that clump together to close wounds and prevent excessive bleeding. A normal platelet count (usually 150,000-450,000 per microliter of blood) allows your body to effectively form blood clots while avoiding excessive bleeding and unnecessary risk of dangerous blood clots elsewhere.
Platelet count: Important parameters
Abnormalities in platelet count occur in countless diseases in almost every specialty, making it an essential “basic test” in modern medical practice. Reference values range from 1.5 to 4.5 million per microliter. Platelet count results are crucial for clinical decision making, especially in critical care with the development of advanced therapies that may save more critically ill patients than ever before.
Reproducible and accurate reporting is essential in modern trauma and intensive care units, oncology services administering high-dose chemotherapy, surgical departments, and bone marrow and organ transplantation. Transfusion services have evolved in parallel, with platelet transfusions from multiple donors (RDP) or single donors (SDP) being the routine treatment for severe symptomatic thrombocytopenia. Platelet transfusion units are limited and expensive, and transfusion services struggle with the ever-increasing demand.
Avoiding unnecessary transfusions and improving platelet inventory management are the main treatment goals. Establishing laboratory and/or clinical thresholds for platelet transfusion in patients with severe thrombocytopenia is a recurring theme in the literature. It has been estimated that reducing the transfusion trigger from 20,000 to 10,000 would reduce the number of platelet units transfused by 20-30%, highlighting the important role of platelet count in this range which can be tested in the best path lab in Jalandhar.
Spurious Platelet Counts on Automated Analyzers
1. Technical Considerations for Sample Collection
Collection in vials other than lavender cap vials (EDTA), extended collection times, improper mixing, and overfilling of vials will result in low platelet counts due to clumping. Samples collected close to the IV or first sample from the line may be diluted.
2. EDTA induced platelet aggregation
This refers to the in vitro formation of platelet clumps in blood collected in EDTA tubes. This occurs in 0.07-0.2% of routine samples. Corrective action: Collect blood in citrate or heparin evacuated containers.
3.Macrothrombocytopenia Harris syndrome
Asymptomatic constitutional macrothrombocytopenia characterized by absence of bleeding, fluctuating and macrothrombocytopenia and normal platelet function in a donor from West Bengal.
Overview Platelet counting is an important laboratory method in modern medicine. Determination of platelet count from a blood smear is a useful cross-check of platelet count results. The results of an automated counter can be influenced by a large number of variables. For example: patient-related factors, anticoagulants, improper collection technique, foreign bodies, red blood cell disorders, etc. If you’re thinking of getting your CBC you can call for a blood test online in Jalandhar by Assure Path Lab.