Generality
Platelets are essential elements for normal blood clotting.
Also called thrombocytes, platelets arise from very large bone marrow cells (called megakaryocytes) and are released into the bloodstream.
What are
Platelets (or thrombocytes) are small, nucleus-less fragments of cells produced in the bone marrow and released into the bloodstream. These elements have a discoid shape and a diameter between 2 and 3 µm.
Their function is essential for the normal coagulation process, during which platelets form aggregates capable of "plugging" a wound immediately after it is formed, before the other coagulation factors intervene.
In detail, when blood vessel or tissue damage occurs and blood loss begins, platelets intervene in three ways:
- They adhere to the injured area;
- They aggregate together, forming a sort of stable plug that remains in place, until the damage is resolved;
- They release chemical factors that further stimulate the aggregation of other platelets.
The average life of platelets is 8-10 days; therefore, the bone marrow must continuously produce new elements to replace those degraded, consumed and / or lost during bleeding.
An excessive lowering of the level of thrombocytes in the blood increases the risk of incurring bleeding, while an increase in these cells increases, on the contrary, the predisposition to thrombosis (related to the formation of platelet aggregates, called thrombus).
Because they measure themselves
Evaluation of platelet parameters is part of the blood count and is indicated for the screening, diagnosis or monitoring of conditions affecting these blood cells, such as haemostasis disorders, bone marrow disorders or other underlying conditions.
Determining the number of total platelets (PLT or plateletcrit) in a blood sample allows for a general health check. At the same time, other platelet parameters can be measured, such as mean volume (MPV), amplitude of distribution (PDW) and blood concentration (PCT) of platelets.
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