Without platelets, we would die pretty easily. The microscopic plate-shaped structures in our bloodstream rush to the site of an injury, forming clots that stop blood loss and help stimulate the ...

Primary thrombocytopenia is an autoimmune disorder that causes a low number of platelets in the blood. Other names for it are immune thrombocytopenia and ITP. Platelets are specialized blood cells ...

A high platelet count, or thrombocytosis, is diagnosed when platelet levels are greater than 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. A high platelet count can lead to symptoms that range from ...

A low platelet count—also called thrombocytopenia—means your blood has fewer than 150,000 platelets per microliter. Platelets are cells that help your blood clot. Without enough platelets, your body ...

Some teenagers dream of getting a driver's license, buying a cheap car and spending late nights out with friends. But when he was young, Ryan Dolce hoped to one day give blood. At the time, the now-30 ...

Thrombocytopenia is a condition in which the blood has an unusually low number of platelets. Also known as thrombocytes, the platelets are blood components that aid in the process of blood clotting. A ...

Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia is a rare but potentially life threatening condition in newborns. It can cause bleeding in the brain and long-term effects. Treatment usually involves a platelet ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 58-year-old female in reasonably good health. When I was young, I donated blood several times and would have continued to do so, had I not become ineligible due to living in ...

One of the side effects of aspirin is reduced platelet function. Aspirin can potentially make issues with blood clotting worse. Thrombocytopenia is the medical term for low platelet count. Platelets ...

APRI is short for aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index. It’s a way for doctors to measure how healthy your liver is when you have a liver disease. The APRI score is based on the amount ...

Your body makes three types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Pancytopenia is when you have abnormally low amounts of all three. It can be caused by diseases, ...

HI, JAMES. HI. JIM STIERS, A FAMILIAR FACE. AND ARM AT THE LANCASTER GENERAL HEALTH BLOOD DONOR CENTER. I’VE BEEN DOING IT FOR A LONG TIME. THE 70 YEAR OLD IS A RECORD PLATELET DONOR. HIS STATS? HE’S ...