An Introduction to the Complete Blood Count for Clinical Chemists: Platelets

J Appl Lab Med. 2024 Jul 1;9(4):833-847. doi: 10.1093/jalm/jfae023.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Blood Cell Count / instrumentation
  • Blood Cell Count / methods
  • Blood Platelets*
  • Chemistry, Clinical / methods
  • Chemistry, Clinical / standards
  • Humans
  • Platelet Count / methods
  • Thrombocytopenia* / blood
  • Thrombocytopenia* / diagnosis
  • Thrombocytosis* / blood
  • Thrombocytosis* / diagnosis