What does an abnormal platelet count mean?

A high platelet count can occur when something causes the bone marrow to make too many platelets. When the reason is unknown, it is called primary or essential thrombocytosis. When excess platelets are due to an infection or other condition, it is called secondary thrombocytosis.

Should I worry about a slightly elevated platelet count?

Potential Complications It is possible, however, that having high platelet counts can lead to the development of blood clots. If you have elevated platelets and are concerned about the risk of developing blood clots, talk to your healthcare providers about ways to reduce the risk of blood clots.

How high is platelet count in cancer?

A raised platelet count (thrombocytosis) measuring >400 × 109/l is associated with high cancer incidence. It is uncertain whether platelet counts at the upper end of the normal range (high-normal: 326–400 × 109/l) are also associated with cancer.

What is an acceptable platelet count?

A normal platelet count ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. Having more than 450,000 platelets is a condition called thrombocytosis; having less than 150,000 is known as thrombocytopenia. You get your platelet number from a routine blood test called a complete blood count (CBC).

What are the symptoms of low platelets?

Thrombocytopenia signs and symptoms may include:

• Easy or excessive bruising (purpura)
• Superficial bleeding into the skin that appears as a rash of pinpoint-sized reddish-purple spots (petechiae), usually on the lower legs.
• Prolonged bleeding from cuts.
• Bleeding from your gums or nose.
• Blood in urine or stools.

Can low platelets make you dizzy?

Symptoms of Low Platelets Headache, confusion, or dizziness. Blood when you cough or difficulty breathing. Blood in your urine, vomit, or stool.

What infections cause high platelets?

Any inflammatory process such as bacterial infection, neoplasia, sepsis, multiple trauma, burns, or pancreatitis that elevates serum IL levels (especially IL-6), may increase the circulating platelet count (2,3).

Can colon cancer cause elevated platelets?

The results of this meta-analysis demonstrate that in colorectal cancer, shorter OS and DFS were associated with elevated platelet counts than with normal counts.

What causes platelets to rise?

Infection. In both children and adults, infections are the most common cause of an elevated platelet count. 1 This elevation can be extreme, with platelet counts greater than 1 million cells per microliter.

What does it mean when your platelets are high or low?

High or low platelet levels can be a sign of a severe condition. The mean platelet count blood test is typically part of a complete blood count (CBC) test. A CBC reveals important information about the number of different blood cells in the body.

What is the normal platelet count for a healthy person?

The test gives a platelet count per microliter (mcL) of blood. The measurement is the number of platelets a person has, on average, per microliter. The ideal platelet range is 150,000 to 400,000 per mcL in most healthy people. Low platelet count is known as thrombocytopenia. High platelet count is known as thrombocytosis.

What causes platelets to be high after spleen removal?

If the cause is due to chronic infection or inflammatory disease, platelet levels may remain elevated until the condition is brought into control. In most cases, the platelet count returns to normal after treatment of the root cause. But still, the removal of the spleen may cause a lifetime of thrombocytosis.

What does MCL mean on a platelet test?

The test gives a platelet count per microliter (mcL) of blood. The measurement is the number of platelets a person has, on average, per microliter. in most healthy people. Low platelet count is known as thrombocytopenia. High platelet count is known as thrombocytosis.