PLT

Cell fragments that drive blood clotting and also act as an acute-phase reactant. Produced by bone marrow megakaryocytes and short-lived (about 7–10 days).
Also known as:
Platelets
Thrombocytes
.

PLT ranges for

Interpret your result
"Normal" lab range for PLT is between 150 and 400 x10^9/L:
150
400
According to Vinholt et al. (2016), PLT should be between 180 and 280 x10^9/L for males:
180
280
According to OptimalDX, PLT should be between 190 and 300 x10^9/L:
190
300
Optimal range
Optimal range for PLT appears to be between 200 and 300 x10^9/L:
50
150
200
300
400
550
Why this optimal range?
Preliminary range is based on functional health organizations including but not limited to those listed above.

What a low value may mean:

Common reasons for low PLT:

  • Low platelets (thrombocytopenia) may reflect reduced marrow production, increased destruction or consumption, splenic sequestration, or dilution. If the result is unexpected or isolated, first consider pseudothrombocytopenia from platelet clumping and confirm with a repeat count or smear.

    Common settings include marrow suppression or infiltration (B12/folate deficiency, alcohol, chemotherapy, aplastic or malignant marrow disease), immune or drug-induced thrombocytopenia, infection/sepsis, consumptive microangiopathic processes (DIC, TTP/HUS, HELLP), hypersplenism, and chronic liver disease or portal hypertension.

    ,,,

Possible consequences from low PLT:

  • Increased risk for cancer
    Platelet count 100-200 x10^9/L was associated with future cancer, adjusted HR = 1.28(95% CI 1.05-1.57).

What a high value may mean:

Common reasons for high PLT:

  • High platelets (thrombocytosis) are most often reactive / secondary, especially with iron deficiency, inflammation, infection, recent bleeding or surgery, tissue injury, malignancy, or hyposplenism/splenectomy. In these cases, the platelet count often improves when the trigger resolves.

    Persistent, unexplained, or marked thrombocytosis raises concern for a clonal myeloid disorder, especially essential thrombocythemia, polycythemia vera, primary myelofibrosis, or CML.

    ,,,

Possible consequences from high PLT:

  • Increased risk for all cause mortality and cardiovascular disease
    Platelet count 301-450 x10^9/L was associated with mortality, adjusted hazard ratio (HR) =1.42(95% CI 1.06-1.90) and cardiovascular disease, adjusted HR=1.32 (95% CI 1.03-1.69).

Images:

PLT was associated with all-cause mortality in males

PLT was associated with all-cause mortality in males

PLT was associated with all-cause mortality in females

PLT was associated with all-cause mortality in females

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Zsolt Szabo
Zsolt Szabo
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I am particularly interested in research on biomarkers associated with all-cause mortality and on defining optimal reference ranges.