Platelet Tests: MedlinePlus Medical Test

What are platelet tests?

Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are tiny blood cells that are necessary for blood clotting. Clotting is the approach that will help you cease bleeding soon after an damage. There are two kinds of platelet tests: a platelet count examination and platelet function tests.

A platelet count examination actions the selection of platelets in your blood. A lower than usual platelet count is identified as thrombocytopenia. This ailment can bring about you to bleed far too a great deal soon after a slash or other damage that will cause bleeding. A better than usual platelet count is identified as thrombocytosis. This can make your blood clot extra than you will need it to. Blood clots can be perilous because they can block blood circulation.

Platelet function tests check your platelets’ potential to form clots. Platelet function tests involve:

• Closure time. This examination actions the time it takes for platelets in a blood sample to plug a tiny gap in a little tube. It will help monitor for diverse platelet diseases.
• Viscoelastometry. This examination actions the toughness of a blood clot as it forms. A blood clot has to be robust to cease bleeding.
• Platelet aggregometry. This is a team of tests that are used to measure how perfectly platelets clump together (aggregate).
• Lumiaggregometry. This examination actions the sum of light-weight made when specified substances are extra to a blood sample. It can assistance present if there are problems in the platelets.
• Stream cytometry. This is a examination that works by using lasers to glance for proteins on the area of platelets. It can assistance diagnose inherited platelet diseases. This is a specialized examination. It is only readily available at specified hospitals and laboratories.
• Bleeding time. This examination actions the sum of time for bleeding to cease soon after tiny cuts are manufactured in the forearm. It was once frequently used to monitor for a range of platelet diseases. Now, other platelet function tests are used extra normally. The more recent tests provide extra reliable outcomes.

Other names: platelet count, thrombocyte count, platelet function tests, platelet function assay, platelet aggregation reports