Indicator Explainer
Platelet
An irregular, disc-shaped element in the blood that assists in blood clotting. Platelets are not blood cells, they are fragments of large bone marrow cells called megakaryocytes.
This page explains what the indicator is and how results are interpreted in general terms. Reference ranges depend on the laboratory, the method, and your own situation — no single “normal value” applies to everyone. This page is health information, not a diagnosis. For symptoms, treatment, or urgent concerns, contact a healthcare professional.
When it is tested
Source: National Cancer Institute, NCI Thesaurus 26.09d, C12520. NCI definition, reproduced without modification under CC BY 4.0. Source identity and definition checked automatically on 2026-10-18. No individual clinical interpretation or human reviewer is asserted.
Reading results
Reference intervals and interpretation depend on the laboratory, specimen, method and clinical context. This source definition is educational information; it does not establish a diagnosis, product approval or suitability for an individual.
Also Known As
Related Tests
Tests that measure or involve this indicator.
References
- NCI Thesaurus 26.09d — Platelet (C12520)
- Source: National Cancer Institute, NCI Thesaurus 26.09d, C12520. NCI definition, reproduced without modification under CC BY 4.0.
- A Simple Platelet-Centered Coagulation-Inflammation Combined Score for Predicting In-Hospital Mortality in Sepsis. — Shock, 2026-10-09 (PMID 42853142; literature)
- Preparation methods and clinical outcomes of platelet-rich plasma for chronic discogenic low back pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. — PM R, 2026-10-09 (PMID 42852874; literature)
- Intratesticular infiltration of platelet-rich plasma, polynucleotides, dermal and adipose cell in secretory azoospermia. — Arch Ital Urol Androl, 2026-10-09 (PMID 42852496; literature)
- Hungry neutrophils: platelet phagocytosis in EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia. — Hematol Transfus Cell Ther, 2026-10-15 (PMID 42880185; literature)
- Stacking platelet bags: A practical storage configuration for maintaining platelet quality during cold storage. — Transfusion, 2026-10-14 (PMID 42876163; literature)
- From contamination to fever: The role of endotoxin levels in bacterially contaminated platelet concentrates. — Vox Sang, 2026-10-22 (PMID 42914138; literature)
- Schisandrin B attenuates the platelet activation-thrombosis cascade through inhibition of Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT and Extracellular signal-regulated kinase-Talin-mediated integrin αIIbβ3 signaling. — J Ethnopharmacol, 2026-10-22 (PMID 42913964; literature)
- Platelet transfusion biology: from hemostatic support to inflammatory and immune signaling. — Haematologica, 2026-10-29 (PMID 42952460; literature)
- Dietary Leucine Restriction Suppresses Platelet-Driven HCC Growth by Attenuating mTOR Signaling. — Cancer Sci, 2026-10-28 (PMID 42952101; literature)