Thrombocytes, or platelets, are central to the functioning of the blood clotting system. Plateletes are produced in the bone marrow. Platelets are stored in the spleen and live for about 10 days, after which they are replaced by new platelets.
Platelets, together with other blood clotting factors, react to bleeding and initiate the blood clotting process. Platelets can also repair small damage to the blood vessels.
Reference value for thrombocytes
Platelet reference value for adults and children over two months old is 150–360 xE9/l.
Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
A person with thrombocytopenia, or a low platelet count, is susceptible to bleeding. This condition may cause unusually heavy or frequent nosebleeds, bleeding from the gums, spontaneous bruising or increased menstrual bleeding. However, only a significant drop in the platelet count (below 50 x E9/l) results in such symptoms.
If a person uses medicinal products that affect platelet function (such as aspirin), abnormal bleeding may occur even with less severe thrombocytopenia.
Platelets may decrease for a number of reasons
Most common causes are:
infections (inflammation caused by viruses or bacteria)
excessive and prolonged use of alcohol
liver diseases
bone marrow diseases
some medicines
Mild, asymptomatic, and temporary thrombocytopenia does not require further tests or treatment. However, it is important to investigate the cause of a markedly decreased or prolonged low platelet count.
High platelet count (thrombocytosis)
Thrombocytosis is a condition in which there are too many platelets in the blood. Platelet count can increase due to various factors that do not constitute an actual disease. Platelet count may increase, for example, in case of sudden bleeding and inflammation.
High platelet count usually does not cause any symptoms.
Platelet count may be elevated for reasons such as:
inflammation
bleeding
iron deficiency
certain cancers
myeloproliferative conditions (a disorder of the bone marrow leading to excessive production of blood cells) such as essential thrombocytosis, myelofibrosis and chronic myeloid leukemia
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