When you cut yourself and the bleeding stops after a while, you can thank your platelets. These tiny cells act like emergency repair workers, forming clots to stop blood loss.
🟡 What are Platelets?
Platelets (also called thrombocytes) are small fragments in your blood that rush to the site of injury, clump together, and form a temporary plug.
📊 Normal Platelet Range
1.5 – 4.5 lakh (150,000 – 450,000) per µL of blood
📉 What happens if platelet count is low?
Low platelets (thrombocytopenia) can be due to:
Dengue fever
Viral infections
Autoimmune diseases
Certain medicines
Symptoms include: easy bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or pinpoint red spots on the skin.
📈 What happens if platelet count is high?
High platelets (thrombocytosis) may occur due to:
Infections
Iron deficiency
Certain bone marrow disorders
Very high levels may increase the risk of unwanted clots, leading to heart attack or stroke.
👉 Takeaway: Platelets keep your bleeding under control. Both too few and too many can be risky.