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CertifiedLabsWhat is a Platelet Count Test?
A Platelet Test at home counts the number of platelets, also known as thrombocytes, in the blood. They appear like small plates when seen under a microscope; hence the name. These small blood cells are crucial for blood clotting, the process that stops bleeding after an injury by forming clots. Doctors may request a Platelet Test during routine physical examinations or if there is a suspicion of conditions such as thrombocytopenia (a low platelet count) or thrombocytosis (a high platelet count). The primary purpose of a Platelet Test is to monitor or diagnose disorders associated with excessive bleeding or clotting. This test is often part of a complete blood count, a common component of regular medical checkups. Additionally, this test aids in assessing platelet function during complex surgeries like cardiac bypass which carries a higher risk of bleeding and evaluates patients with a personal or family history of bleeding disorders before surgery. This test is also used to monitor individuals on blood-thinning medications, which are prescribed to reduce clotting in those at risk for heart attacks or strokes. Platelet count testing is also required for patients suffering from dengue. During dengue infection, platelet counts often drop due to the virus's attack. Hence, regular Platelet Count test in individuals with Dengue can predict and track recovery from dengue fever (DF), dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF), and dengue shock syndrome (DSS), and guide treatment decisions.
Platelet Count Test Parameters
Platelets play a vital role in stopping bleeding after injuries. These are the smallest blood cells and can only be observed under a microscope. In their inactive state, platelets have a small, plate-like shape. During an injury, when a blood vessel is damaged, blood vessels emit a signal that activates the platelets. In response, platelets travel to the damaged area and transform into their active form (resembling a spider). They aggregate at the wound site, forming a plug that seals blood vessels, thereby avoiding further blood loss. This is an extremely important function that platelets serve as without such a plug of platelets, blood loss may continue till a person becomes critical even from minor injuries!
The quantity of platelets in the blood is the sole parameter that the Platelet Count test evaluates.
Platelet Count Test Preparation
Given below is an overview of the test's preparation:
Prerequisites
Fasting is not required for the Platelet Test.
Best Time to Get Tested
The Platelet Test can be done at any time of the day.
Eligibility for Platelet Test
Anyone showing symptoms of excess platelets, such as numbness in the hands and feet, or a deficiency of platelets, such as bleeding for a long time after minor cuts can take this test. A Platelet Test is also necessary for those scheduled to undergo complex surgical procedures or are using medication to reduce blood clotting.
Cautions Before Taking Platelet Test
No special cautions are needed before taking a Platelet Test.
Why Take a Platelet Count Test?
A Platelet Count in Bangalore test is necessary if symptoms suggest an abnormal (either high or low) number of platelets. The following are common symptoms of a low platelet count:
Bleeding for a long time (following minor cuts or injuries)
Bleeding from the nose
Swollen or bleeding gums
Bruises (more frequent than usual)
Small red spots on the skin
Purple patches on the skin
Blood in urine, stool or vomit
Longer or heavier than usual menstrual bleeding
The following are common symptoms of a high platelet count:
Headaches
Dizziness or lightheadedness
General weakness
Bruises (that are formed easily)
A numbing sensation in the hands and feet
Nose, gum and mouth bleeds
Stomach or intestinal bleeding
Platelet Tests may also be necessary for individuals undergoing complex surgeries (like cardiac bypass or trauma surgery) or taking medications (blood thinners) that reduce blood clotting. Furthermore, it might also be used to keep an eye on conditions that result in excessive bleeding or clotting.
Platelet Count Test Results & Interpretation
The result of a Platelet Count Blood test is given below:
Normal range: 150-450 [10^3/µL]
Low Count
Reasons for a low platelet count include:
Severe bleeding following an injury
Bacterial or viral infections
Certain medications like antibiotics
Drinking excess alcohol
Dengue fever
Contact with harmful chemicals like arsenic
Diseases in which the body attacks its own healthy cells like rheumatoid arthritis
Blood disorders like thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Genetic disorders such as Von Willebrand disease
Blood cancers such as leukaemia
Treatment for cancers such as chemotherapy
A low platelet count could also be due to diminished platelet supply because of conditions like haemolytic uremic syndrome that deplete or destroy platelets. Additionally, the spleen may also sometimes trap platelets, preventing their circulation in the bloodstream.
High Count
Reasons for a high platelet count include:
Reactive Thrombocytosis
An injury
Bacterial or viral infections
Inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis
Failure of kidney
Undergoing treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency
Certain medications like adrenalin
Blood disorders like anaemia
Spleen removal
Certain surgical procedures like abdominal surgery
Certain cancers such as breast cancer
A high platelet count may result from a hereditary disorder caused by a JAK2 gene mutation, leading to the bone marrow's excessive production of platelets, which progressively develops over time.
FAQs on Platelet Count Test in Bangalore
The Platelet Test price is ₹ 190. Our Platelet test cost includes the fastest home sample collection within 60 of booking, and the reports are available in 3 hours.
A Platelet Count test is used to measure the number of platelets in blood. This primarily helps find reasons for abnormal platelet levels and monitor as well as diagnose conditions that lead to excessive bleeding or clotting.
No, fasting is not needed for the Platelet Count test at home.
Yes, Orange Health Labs provides a home sample collection service for the Platelet Test. You can easily schedule a test at any location within Bangalore with Orange Health Labs.
The normal range for a platelet count is 150-450 [10^3/µL].
Platelet Tests are occasionally conducted alongside other blood tests, including:
Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT) test, evaluating clotting time.
Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) blood test, assessing platelet size.
Prothrombin Time and INR test, examining clotting function.
The Orange Health Labs’ eMedic team will arrive at your designated location within 60 minutes of confirming your booking. The blood sample collection usually takes about five minutes. Afterward, you can expect to receive your reports online within just 3 hours.
The frequency of the Platelet Test will be determined by your doctor. This is generally based on your presenting symptoms and medical history.
The Platelet Test has only one parameter: it measures the number of platelets in a blood sample.
A Platelet Test helps detect thrombocytopenia or thrombocytosis which can be due to various health conditions such as infections, immune system problems, damage to bone marrow, problems with the spleen, etc.
Platelets are cells that are in charge of controlling bleeding. When an injury happens, they come together to create clots at the locations of injuries and thus stop excessive blood loss.
Platelets are shaped like small plates when inactive. Upon receiving signals from a damaged blood vessel, they travel to the injury site and activate. In their active form, platelets extend long, tentacle-like structures to adhere to the broken vessel, resembling a spider or octopus, and form a clot to prevent bleeding.
A blood test has minimal risk involved. A slight soreness or bruise at the location of the needle insertion are possible adverse effects, although they usually go away quickly.
Yes, abnormal results from a Platelet Test could indicate either an inherited or acquired platelet disorder. Inherited disorders like Von Willebrand disease are genetically inherited and may not manifest symptoms until much later in life, despite being present since birth. On the other hand, acquired genetic disorders like myelodysplastic syndrome may develop later in life and can be triggered by various factors such as other medical conditions, medications, or environmental exposures.
Payment & Refund Policy
- We do not accept cash payments
- All modes of online payment are accepted
- Refunds will be credited back to the source of payment within 5-7 working days of order cancellation.