The WBCs help to fight infection, and
platelets
are parts of cells that the body uses for clotting. All blood cells are produced in the bone marrow.
Are white blood cells and platelets the same thing?
Unlike red and white blood cells,
platelets are not actually cells but rather small fragments of cells
. Platelets help the blood clotting process (or coagulation) by gathering at the site of an injury, sticking to the lining of the injured blood vessel, and forming a platform on which blood coagulation can occur.
Are platelets formed from WBC?
Platelets are produced
in the bone marrow
, the same as the red cells and most of the white blood cells. Platelets are produced from very large bone marrow cells called megakaryocytes.
What do low white blood cells and platelets mean?
A low white blood cell count in adults is
less than 4,000 cells per microliter of blood
. A low white blood cell count can be an indicator of certain conditions, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, vitamin deficiencies, or a side effect of cancer treatment.
Does platelet count change with age?
Platelet count decreases with age
, and women have more platelets than man after puberty.
What organ makes platelets?
Platelets are made in
our bone marrow
, the sponge-like tissue inside our bones. Bone marrow contains stem cells that develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
What are the 3 functions of platelets?
The main function of platelets, the maintenance of hemostasis, depends on three of their properties, the endothelial supporting function of platelets,
the ability to form hemostatic plugs and to release lipoprotein material (platelet factor 3)
.
What are the 2 main types of lymphocytes?
Lymphocytes are cells that circulate in your blood that are part of the immune system. There are two main types lymphocytes:
T cells and B cells
. B cells produce antibody molecules that can latch on and destroy invading viruses or bacteria.
What is the most common reason for low white blood cell count?
A low white blood cell count usually is caused by:
Viral infections that temporarily disrupt the work of bone marrow
.
Certain disorders present at birth (congenital)
that involve diminished bone marrow function. Cancer or other diseases that damage bone marrow.
Should I be worried about low white blood cell count?
A low WBC count can be serious because it increases your risk of developing a potentially life-threatening
infection
. Seek prompt medical care if you have a low WBC count and have signs of an infection, such as a fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, or skin lesions.
What are the symptoms of having low white blood cells?
- Have repeated fevers and infections.
- Get bladder infections that may make it painful to pass urine, or make you urinate more often.
- Get lung infections that cause coughing and difficulty breathing.
- Get mouth sores.
- Get sinus infections and a stuffy nose.
Does platelet count change everyday?
It is important that
platelet counts not be done too often since the levels fluctuate
, sometimes quite widely. One week the platelets may be 27, the next week 51, and the week after that 18 without any change in the person’s treatment or bleeding.
What is a good number for platelets?
What is a healthy platelet count? A normal platelet count ranges from
150,000 to 450,000 platelets
per microliter of blood. Having more than 450,000 platelets is a condition called thrombocytosis; having less than 150,000 is known as thrombocytopenia.
Do low platelets make you feel tired?
Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) definition and facts. Symptoms and signs of thrombocytopenia may include
fatigue
, bleeding, and others.
What is the best treatment for low platelets?
- Blood or platelet transfusions. If your platelet level becomes too low, your doctor can replace lost blood with transfusions of packed red blood cells or platelets.
- Medications. …
- Surgery. …
- Plasma exchange.
What diseases are caused by low platelets?
- Have a blood disorder that affects your bone marrow, called aplastic anemia.
- Have cancer such as leukemia or lymphoma, which damages your bone marrow.
- Have a platelet-lowering disease like Wiskott-Aldrich or May-Hegglin syndromes.
- Have a virus such as chickenpox, mumps, rubella, HIV, or Epstein-Barr.
