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An Introduction to the Complete Blood Count for Clinical Chemists: Platelets
Xander M R van Wijk1, Zaraith Sanchez Oviol2, William E Winter2
1van Wijk Consulting LLC, Houston, TX, United States.
Background:
The most ordered laboratory test worldwide is the complete blood count (CBC).
Content:
In this primer, an introduction to platelet testing in the context of the CBC is provided with a discussion of the laboratory evaluation of platelet abnormalities including thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis.
Summary:
As clinical chemists continue to be tasked to direct laboratories outside of the traditional clinical chemistry sections such as hematology, expertise must be developed. This primer is dedicated to that effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to the study's authors, evaluating platelet counts allows for the detection of thrombocytopenia or thrombocytosis, which indicate potential bleeding or clotting risks.
The primer focuses on the diagnostic differentiation of thrombocytopenia, characterized by low platelet levels, and thrombocytosis, which involves an excess of circulating platelets.
The authors used a primer format to distill complex platelet testing protocols into accessible guidelines for chemists managing laboratories outside their traditional biochemical expertise.
The study implies that automated platelet counts may require manual smear reviews to confirm findings when analyzers flag abnormal morphology or potential platelet clumping.
The authors state that clinical chemists must develop expertise in hematology to effectively direct laboratories and ensure accurate interpretation of platelet-related diagnostic data.
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