The thrombocytes or platelets are the second components of the most abundant blood; their production is carried out in the bone marrow to the fragment known as megakaryocytes, which do not have a core but are composed of proteins and lipids. They are minimal elements, and their cycle is short, being functional for 7 to 10 days in your bloodstream, and then they are discarded. Therefore their production must be constant to maintain normal levels.
To know the concentration of thrombocytes in the blood, it is enough to do a straightforward test in which a blood sample is taken. In a short time, they will give you the results, but if you have doubts about the average values of platelets, in this FastlyHealarticle, we want to inform you about this and other related topics.
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Normal blood thrombocyte values
Maintaining the average level of platelets in the blood is necessary for your body to be healthy since thrombocytes fulfill essential functions, including intervening in the repair of wounds and injuries that you come to present, they start the inflammatory process, collaborate in the elimination of harmful substances that manage to enter your body and stimulate the presence of the other components of the immune system. You can expand this information by consulting the article What are the functions of platelets.
Therefore, it is also essential to know the number of platelets your body should produce, 150,000 to 450,000 platelets / µL. However, this may be a little lower during pregnancy and is not necessarily a sign of alarm, but it is recommended that you consult with your doctor.
It can also vary in other conditions. Its concentration remains normal; for example, the average value of platelets in infants ranges between 200,000 and 475,000 platelets / µL, while in newborns, it is between 150,000 to 300,000 platelets / µL.
As we have mentioned, these blood platelet values are in general terms. You should ask the specialist what the average platelet values are in each case since they may vary slightly depending on the type of test and the laboratory in which you perform the analytics.
Causes that alter the number of platelets in the blood
Several factors can cause your platelet level to be out of the ordinary, either lowering it, a condition known as thrombocytopenia, or raising your platelets, causing thrombocytosis. Both alterations are detrimental to your health, so when detecting possible abnormal platelet values, you must consult a doctor to determine what is causing it and thus give you the best treatment.
The most frequent causes that modify average platelet values are :
- Excessive stress
- Infections, whether of bacterial or viral origin.
- Allergic reactions.
- Some have a more significant effect than others, such as hemolytic anemia.
- Certain medications, such as those used for chemotherapy.
- After a surgical intervention.
- Consumption of drugs.
- Cancer, mainly leukemia, origin in the bone marrow.
- In autoimmune disorders, your body mistakenly attacks platelets by perceiving them as foreign agents.
- Bone marrow diseases, such as myelodysplastic syndrome or myeloproliferative conditions.
Symptoms of abnormal thrombocyte values
When your body does not have an adequate level of platelets in the blood, you may see a series of signs unless a slight alteration tends to be asymptomatic. Depending on the type of abnormality, low or high values, it will be the symptoms that you could develop; among the evils that can integrate, the following stand out:
- Bleeding can be nasal, gum, or internal, such as in digestive systems, and you can see blood in the stool.
- Hematomas in various parts of your body or quickly appearing.
- Petechiae, tiny red dots due to capillary damage.
- It is easier for them to occur before an injury, either internally or externally.
- Headaches.
- Cardiovascular problems, for example, angina pectoris caused by blood clots.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to What are normal platelet values , we recommend that you enter our Blood, heart and circulation category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.