Q: My platelets were slightly elevated on my blood test. What can cause this? A: Platelets are part of how our body forms clots to stop bleeding. They are produced in the bone marrow by cells called ...

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 ...

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 ...

Lupus may cause you to experience low platelet counts. This could be a direct result of the disease or due to some lupus medications. Severe cases can be life threatening, but most cases are mild and ...

When donated blood is in low supply, platelets are even scarcer. These cell fragments, which are essential for blood clotting, have a short shelf life. Whereas whole blood can be refrigerated for up ...

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 ...

Because leukemia is a blood cancer, it can affect a person’s platelet count. People with leukemia sometimes have a low platelet count. However, other conditions can also cause low platelets. Leukemia ...

A mean platelet volume (MPV) test measures the average size of platelets in your blood. Platelets are blood cells that your bone marrow makes. Healthy platelets clump together to help your blood clot ...

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 ...