Below the range
Common causes of a low Platelet Count
- Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP)
- DIC
- Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)
- Bone marrow suppression
- Hypersplenism
Looking for the other direction? See what causes a high Platelet Count.
All tests · Complete Blood Count (CBC) · Platelet Count
Below the range
What causes a low Platelet Count?
Normal range 150-400 10³/µL (150-400 10⁹/L SI). Specimen: Whole blood (EDTA). See the full Platelet Count reference page for critical values and nursing considerations.
What is the normal range for Platelet Count?
The standard teaching reference range for Platelet Count is 150-400 10³/µL in conventional units, or 150-400 10⁹/L in SI units. This value is measured in whole blood (edta).
| Specimen | Whole blood (EDTA) |
|---|---|
| Conventional range | 150-400 10³/µL |
| SI range | 150-400 10⁹/L |
| Critical value | < 50 × 10⁹/L (bleeding risk) - spontaneous bleeding risk rises sharply < 20; > 1,000 |
| Panel | Complete Blood Count (CBC) |
Full details, including nursing considerations, on the Platelet Count normal range page. Reference ranges vary by laboratory, method, age, sex, and population - always use the range printed on the actual result.
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