How to Identify Platelets in Peripheral Smears?

The platelets are the blood cells that circulate within the blood vessel and bind when they sense any damage that has occurred in the blood vessel. Platelets are the cells that originate in the bone marrow and are responsible for preventing any bleeding.

If there is any kind of damage, the blood vessels send a signal to the platelets, and then they reach there and start to bind to form a clot so that the bleeding stops.

Health providers always suggest keeping track of your platelet count, as platelets are important for your body. If your platelet count decreases, many conditions may follow.

If you don’t know much about your platelets or where and how to get tested, this blog is for you. 

Keep reading to learn everything about platelets and their testing. 

Normal range of the platelet count:

If blood clotting is normal, the platelets range between 1,50,000 and 4,50,000 per microliter. If the platelet count exceeds 4,50,000, it is a condition called thrombocytosis, and if it is less than 1,50,000, it means you might have thrombocytopenia. 

This is why doctors recommend monitoring platelet levels, so if there are any abnormalities, they can be treated as soon as possible. 

Keeping Track of Your Platelet Count: 

If you want to get your platelet count checked, then it is recommended to go for the peripheral blood smear test (PBS).

PBS is different from normal blood tests as most of the tests are machine-based, whereas, in this peripheral smear test method, the health provider checks the blood sample with the help of a microscope.

 The peripheral blood smear shows:

• If there is any change in the platelet size or other blood cell size, this change in the size can be an indicator of blood disorder or cancer.
• A change in blood count or platelet count might be a sign that there are issues with the bone marrow, where the platelets and other blood cells are produced.
• Signs of the presence of parasites in the blood. 

A decrease in the number of platelets decreases the chances of blood clotting and this may be a sign of cancer or any major infection like dengue.

A peripheral blood smear test is done, as it shows how the platelets and blood cells look under the microscope and it determines any kind of abnormalities that could have been skipped in the CBC Test.

A Peripheral Blood Smear Test can sometimes also suggest if you have been exposed to ticks, however, it is suggestive so it cannot be considered as a proper diagnosis. 

Risks of Abnormal Platelet Count:

As we know, excess or lack of anything is harmful. The same goes for the platelet count. If your platelet count is less than 1,50,000, it means that you may have a condition called thrombocytopenia. The signs of thrombocytopenia are:

1. Heavy period flow
2. Blood in your stool
3. Blood is in your urine when you pee
4. The gum bleeds frequently
5. Bruises

If you have more than 4,50,000 platelets per microliter, then you may be suffering from a condition called thrombocytosis. Signs of thrombocytosis:

• Change of speech
• Confusion
• Burning pain in the legs and hands.
• Nausea and vomiting.

These conditions can turn out to be pretty harmful to your body and can be life-threatening in many cases. 

Tips to maintain a normal Platelet Level:

It is easy to maintain the normal range of platelet count in the body; you just need to change your dietary habits and unhealthy lifestyle. There are food items that can help you maintain your platelet levels while sitting at home. There's a list of a few of them below that you can try to follow to achieve your goal.

1. Milk: Everyone knows that milk has multiple nutrients and provides major health benefits. Milk is known to contain high amounts of calcium and protein, which are responsible for strengthening your bones and muscles. However, milk also contains large amounts of vitamin K, which is directly associated with blood clotting. Thus, drinking a glass of milk regularly can turn out to be beneficial for the maintenance of your platelets.

• Kiwi: Vitamin C is a crucial nutrient responsible for the production of platelets, and kiwi is known for being packed with high amounts of vitamin C. Thus, regular consumption of kiwi can be a great way of increasing the production of platelets in your body.

• Green Vegetables: Another essential source of vitamin K is green leafy vegetables, such as collard and turnip greens, spinach, basil, broccoli, sprouts, cabbage, lettuce, and more. These greens have blood clotting properties and can naturally improve platelet count. 

• Carrots and beetroot: Vegetables like these are high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, including folate, which supports healthy blood cell production, including platelets. It also contains minerals, such as vitamin K, vitamin E, and potassium, and has antioxidant properties that help to protect cells.

Things to avoid:

• Alcohol
• Smoking
• Excessive amount of caffeine
• Saturated fats
• Foods with high sodium content.

These are a few basic things one should be doing to lead a healthy life; however, if you are especially trying to maintain your platelet count, then these tips may be helpful for you. However, anyone needs to consult with their doctor first and get their opinion on any dietary changes they may be thinking of making.

Key Takeaway:

Platelets play an important role in anyone’s body, so it is important to take care of them and keep checking on them. The Peripheral Blood Smear Test can help track your platelet count, and along with it, it helps in the identification of any underlying abnormalities in the platelets or other blood cells.

If you are looking for a place to get your peripheral smear test done, you can contact Redcliffe Labs. We are trusted by many healthcare providers for getting accurate test results in a stipulated time frame.