Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Platelet count

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Thrombocyte count


Normal Values

150,000 to 400,000 platelets per microliter (mcL)

Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.


What abnormal results mean

A lower-than-normal number of platelets (thrombocytopenia) may be due to:

  • Cancer chemotherapy
  • Certain medications
  • Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
  • Hemolytic anemia
  • Hypersplenism
  • Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
  • Leukemia
  • Massive blood transfusion
  • Prosthetic heart valve
  • Thombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)

A higher-than-normal number of platelets (thrombocytosis) may be due to:

  • Anemia
  • Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)
  • Polycythemia vera
  • Primary thrombocythemia
  • Recent spleen removal

Review Date: 02/13/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)