Definition of Platelets:

Cells that help the blood to clot.

Also: Platelet

Topics Related to Platelets

A Low Platelet Count

...the condition
“Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) is the term used when the platelet count is low enough to cause very easy bruising...”
...relationship to Lupus, SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)
“Lupus is suggested if thrombocytopenia (a low platelet count of under 100,000 platelets per cubic millimeter) is detected in the absence of drugs that are known to induce it.”
...recommendation Vitamin E
“...Within 7-14 days, platelet counts and capillary fragility returned to normal or near normal...”
...recommendation Herbal Combinations
“Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) is a condition in which the platelet count is low enough to cause very easy bruising...”
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More topics Related to Platelets

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)

...the condition
“...called "lymphoblasts" or "leukemic blasts," which fail to function as normal blood cells and 2) the blockade of the production of normal marrow cells, leading to a deficiency of red cells (anemia), platelets (thrombocytopenia), and normal white cells (especially neutrophils, i.e. neutropenia) in the blood...”

Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)

...the condition
“...of cells called "leukemic blasts" which fail to function as normal blood cells and 2) the blockade of the production of normal marrow cells, leading to a deficiency of red cells (anemia), and platelets (thrombocytopenia) and normal white cells (especially neutrophils, i.e. neutropenia) in the blood...”


...the condition
“...The blood contains three types of blood cells: white blood cells fight infection; platelets help the blood to clot; red blood cells containing hemoglobin, which allows them to carry oxygen and carbon dioxide; Risk factors for developing anemia include poor diet, intestinal...”

Aspirin a treatment
“...The prevention of cardiovascular disease is thought to be related to thromboxane inhibition in platelets leading to a reduced risk of potentially dangerous blood clots forming in the heart and brain blood vessels...”

Blood Transfusion a treatment
“...A unit of plasma or platelets generally takes 30-60 minutes...”

Bone Marrow Suppression

...the condition
“...The result is a reduction in red blood cells (which carry oxygen), white blood cells (which fight infection), and/or platelets (which control bleeding)...”

CBC (Complete Blood Count) Test a treatment
“...These cells – the RBCs, WBCs, and platelets – are produced and mature primarily in the bone marrow...”

Chediak-Higashi Syndrome

...the condition
“...If CHS is suspected, the following tests maybe used ... Blood platelet count...”

Chocolate a treatment
“...Another study showed that flavonols in cocoa prevent fat-like substances in the bloodstream from oxidizing and clogging the arteries, and make blood platelets less likely to stick together and cause clots...”

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

...the condition
“...Low platelet counts and low red cell counts (anemia) may be present, but are usually only slightly decreased in the early stage of the illness...”

Complete Blood Count

...related topic
“...Platelet count.  The number of platelets in a volume blood...”

Coronary Disease / Heart Attack

...recommendation Aspirin
“...Most heart attacks occur when a cholesterol-laden plaque ruptures in a coronary artery, attracting platelets to its surface and causing a clot (thrombus) to build up...”

Eclampsia / Preeclampsia

...the condition
“...that is characterized by hypertension (high blood pressure) and proteinuria (excessive protein in the urine), often including edema (swelling) and occasionally involving thrombocytopenia (low platelets) or liver function abnormalities...”


...the condition
“...A CBC shows decreased white blood cells (leukopenia), decreased platelets (thrombocytopenia); a granulocyte stain shows clumps of bacteria inside white blood cells; the platelet count shows decreased platelets (thrombocytopenia); liver enzymes show elevated...”

Essential Fatty Acids a treatment
“...EFAs fulfill many functions ... Are precursors of prostaglandins (PGs), three families of short-lived, hormone-like substances that regulate blood pressure, platelet stickiness and kidney function...”

Essential Thrombocythemia

...the condition
“Alternative names: ET, Essential Thrombocytosis, Essential Thrombocythaemia, Primary Thrombocytosis Essential thrombocythemia is a rare chronic blood disorder characterized by the overproduction of platelets in the bone marrow...”

Ginger Root a treatment
“...Circulation: It helps to support a healthy cardiovascular system by making platelets less sticky, therefore reducing the likelihood of clots...”

Ginkgo Biloba a treatment
“...Ginkgolide-B is a known inhibitor of Platelet Activating Factor (PAF), which is responsible for platelet aggregation, PAF-induced asthma and various inflammatory and pro-oxidative processes...”

GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid) a treatment
“...DGLA is essential for the production of prostaglandin E1, an important hormone-like chemical that reduces inflammation, boosts immunity, lowers blood pressure, keeps platelets from sticking together, and improves blood vessel tone...”

Gluten Sensitivity / Celiac Disease

...the condition
“...Dermatitis Herpetiformis (caused by gluten); Vitiligo; Symptoms caused by the following Gall bladder problems; Elevated liver enzymes; Non alcoholic fatty liver; Autoimmune hepatitis; Lymphoma; Platelet disorders; Gluten sensitivity should not be self-diagnosed, since other medical problems could be the cause of similar symptoms...”

Green Tea a treatment
“...Green tea benefits the heart by lowering cholesterol levels and reducing the tendency of blood platelets to stick together...”

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

...the condition
“...Small, unexplained bruises or small clot-sized hemorrhages visible in the mucosal lining of the mouth may occur because the toxins also destroy the platelets, cells that normally contribute to the clotting system...”

Heparin a treatment
“...HITS is caused by an immunological reaction that makes platelets a target of immunological response, resulting in the degradation of platelets...”

High Total Cholesterol

...recommendation Plant-Based Nutrition
“...The effect of vegetarian diets on plasma lipid and platelet levels.  Arch Inter Med 1986;146:1193-7; Burslem J, Schonfeld G, Howald M, Weidman SW, Miller JP...”

Hypercoagulation (Thickened Blood)

...the condition
“...Normally, long strands of fibrin weave a mesh around platelets and blood cells to form a clot that plugs the break in the wall of a vessel...”


...the condition
“...Most patients will develop an enlarged spleen, anemia, leukopenia, or abnormally low white blood cell counts, or thrombocytopenia, a deficiency of circulating platelets in the blood...”

Infectious Mononucleosis - Mono

...the condition
“...Other tests your doctor might order include a complete blood count (CBC) to see if your blood platelet count is lower than normal and if lymphocytes are abnormal, and a chemistry panel to see if liver enzymes are abnormal...”
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More topics Related to Platelets


...the condition
“...Diagnosis of leukemia involves examination of the number of red cells, platelets, and different types of white cells in the blood, which can show a harmful imbalance if leukemia is present...”
...our question about Bruising susceptibility
“Higher numbers of immature white blood cells displace blood platelets, which are essential for the blood clotting process...”

L-Taurine a treatment
“...Taurine is also able to reduce the calcium-triggered response of blood platelets to various activating factors, and to suppress sympathetic nervous system activity while also reducing the responsiveness of vascular smooth muscle cells to vasoconstricting agents...”

Megaloblastic Anemia / Pernicious Anemia

...the condition
“...Decreased numbers and immaturity of white blood cells (leukocytes) and blood platelets (thrombocytes) may also occur...”

Mitral Valve Prolapse

...relationship to Platelet Aggregation (Clotting)
“The prolapsing mitral valve is known to damage platelets and increase their aggregation...”

Myelodysplastic Syndrome

...the condition
“...It contains immature cells, called stem cells, which can develop into the red blood cells that carry oxygen through the body, as well as the white blood cells that fight infection, and the platelets that help with blood clotting...”


...the condition
“...Hydroxyurea may control complications such as enlargement of the liver and spleen, reduce the number of white cells and platelets in the blood, and improve anemia...”

Myeloproliferative Neoplasm

...the condition
“...previously known as Myeloproliferative Disease (MPD) Myeloproliferative disorders are a group of slow-growing blood cancers in which large numbers of abnormal red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets grow in the bone marrow and circulate in the blood...”


...the condition
“...The Food and Drug Administration has now approved blood cell growth factors that increase the production of neutrophils, red blood cells, and platelets for the treatment of neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia, respectively...”


...related topic
“Often PAF antagonist: Platelet activating factor inhibitor...”


...related topic
“...There are fewer red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.  A person with pancytopenia may be tired, bleed easily and get infections easily.”

Platelet Aggregation

...related topic
Platelets are the small, rather uniform fragments of large bone marrow cells that aid the blood in coagulation, hemostasis, inflammation, and thrombus formation...”

Platelet Aggregation (Clotting)

...the condition
“Alternative names: Platelet adhesion Platelets are disk-shaped blood cells that are also called thrombocytes...”

Poor/Slow Wound Healing

...the condition
“...Platelets and thromboplastin make a clot...”
...relationship to (Prescription) Drug Side-Effects
“...Examples include drugs that interfere with clot formation, platelet function, inflammatory responses, or cell proliferation; certain steroids, NSAIDs, chemotherapy drugs.”

Psoriatic Arthritis

...the condition
“...side-effects, monitored through regular blood and urine tests, include liver damage, and excessive lowering of the white blood cell count (increasing susceptibility to certain infections) and platelet count (affecting blood clotting)...”

Radiation Therapy (Radio Therapy) a treatment
“...Radiation therapy also may cause a decrease in the number of white blood cells or platelets.  If that happens, patients need to be careful to avoid possible sources of infection or injury...”


...the condition
“...Platelets deficient in MAO (monoamine oxidase); Schizophrenia can appear suddenly and without warning...”


...related topic
“...Splenomegaly is often associated with viral hepatitis, mononucleosis, typhoid fever and abnormally high levels of red blood cells or platelets.”


...the condition
“...Sometimes platelets (cells in the blood stream responsible for clotting) become 'sticky' and promote clotting...”
...our question about COX-2 inhibitor use
“...COX-1 makes thromboxane A2, which promotes blood vessel constriction and "stickiness" in blood cells called platelets.  COX-2 is the major source of prostacyclin, which helps prevent platelets from clumping and promotes blood vessel dilation...”
...recommendation Aspirin
“...Aspirin reduces platelet 'stickiness' or aggregation, as do other natural products that 'thin blood'...”


...related topic
Platelet defect with impaired ability to form blood clots.”


...related topic


...related topic
“Condition of abnormally small number of platelets circulating in the blood, characterized by inability to properly clot blood and easy bruising.”


...the condition
“...When these complexes persist in the circulation, their interaction with platelets results in the release of vasoactive amines...”

Vinpocetine a treatment
“...Red blood cells and platelets need to remain flexible to slip through tiny capillary openings and reach the tissue...”

Vitamin E a treatment
“...Vitamin E can decrease platelet adherence to damaged artery walls, much like Vitamin C...”

Weakened Immune System

...the condition
“...Our blood consists mainly of plasma and red blood cells, but also platelets and white blood cells (also called leukocytes or just WBC)...”
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