Blood
Platelets (PLT)
Also known as: Thrombocytes
CONVERT & COMPARE
×10³/µL
=
226
×10⁹/L
=
226000
cells/µL
=
2.26
Lakhs/Cumm
Reference ranges by source
Published adult intervals: 9, from 7 named sources, shown in ×10³/µL.
SOURCE
SEX
AGE
RANGE
VISUAL
CITE
J
JSCC / JAMT Japan
All
≥18y
158 – 348 ×10³/µL
T
Turkey Nationwide Reference Intervals
All
≥18y
152 – 383 ×10³/µL
J
JSCC / JAMT Japan
All · ≥18y
158 – 348 ×10³/µL
T
Turkey Nationwide Reference Intervals
All · ≥18y
152 – 383 ×10³/µL
Ages 0–17 (CALIPER)
3 age- and sex-stratified entries from the Canadian Laboratory Initiative on Pediatric Reference Intervals.
SOURCE
SEX
AGE
RANGE
VISUAL
CITE
About Platelets (PLT)
Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are small blood cells. They form in your bone marrow, the sponge-like tissue in your bones. Platelets are essential for blood clotting. A blood clot is a mass of blood that forms when platelets, proteins, and cells in the blood stick together. When you get hurt, your body forms a blood clot to stop the bleeding.
There are two types of platelet tests: a platelet count test and platelet function tests. A platelet count test measures the number of platelets in your blood. A lower-than-normal platelet count is called thrombocytopenia. This condition can cause you to bleed too much after a cut or other injury that causes bleeding. A higher-than-normal platelet count is called thrombocytosis. This can make your blood clot more than you need it to. Blood clots can be dangerous because they can block blood flow.
Platelet function tests check your platelets' ability to form clots. Platelet function tests may include closure time, viscoelastometry, platelet aggregometry, lumiaggregometry, flow cytometry, and bleeding time.
Main source: MedlinePlus ↗
Useful for
Monitor or diagnose conditions that cause too much bleeding or clotting
Help diagnose certain platelet diseases
Check platelet function during complex surgical procedures, such as coronary artery bypass surgery and trauma surgery
Check patients before surgery if they have a personal or family history of bleeding disorders
Monitor people who are taking blood thinners
Main source: MedlinePlus ↗
Interpretation
If your results show a lower-than-normal platelet count (thrombocytopenia), it may be a sign of a cancer that affects the blood (such as leukemia or lymphoma), a viral infection (such as mononucleosis, hepatitis, or measles), an autoimmune disease, infection or damage to your bone marrow, cirrhosis, vitamin B12 deficiency, or gestational thrombocytopenia.
If your results show a higher-than-normal platelet count (thrombocytosis), it may be a sign of certain types of cancer (such as lung cancer or breast cancer), anemia, inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), rheumatoid arthritis, a viral or bacterial infection, or severe blood loss.
If your platelet function test results were not normal, it may be a sign of an inherited or acquired platelet disorder.
Your provider may consider your symptoms, medical history, and the results of other blood tests to understand the results of your platelet tests.
For general wellness information only. Talk to a clinician about your specific results.
Main source: MedlinePlus ↗
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Related biomarkers
More tests in the blood category.
Sources
M
Mayo Clinic Laboratories
L
Labcorp
Q
Quest Diagnostics
N
Nordic Reference Interval Project
U
UK Pathology Harmony
J
JSCC / JAMT Japan
T
Turkey Nationwide Reference Intervals
C
CALIPER: Canadian Pediatric Reference Intervals
Last updated 2026-05-02
This page presents source-specific reference data and sourced explanations. For general wellness information only. This is not medical advice. For diagnosis or treatment of any condition, talk to a qualified clinician.