Normal blood counts fall within the range that has been established by testing healthy men and women of all ages. The cell counts are compared to those of healthy individuals of similar age and sex.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My brother has low blood platelets and anemia. He will be 73 this year and has had three back surgeries. What causes low blood platelets? Can anything be done to raise platelet count?

You may need an MPV test if you show symptoms that suggest an issue with your platelet size or number. An MPV test involves drawing a blood sample from a vein and typically takes less than five ...

Dear Dr. Roach: My brother has low blood platelets and anemia. He will be 73 this year and has had three back surgeries. What causes low blood platelets? Can anything be done to raise platelet count?

The most common etiology of pseudothrombocytopenia is platelet clumping induced by EDTA, which is the anticoagulant present in the purple tube in which blood is collected for a CBC. This clumping is ...