Description

Test Criteria

This test looks for platelet antibodies in your blood to find out the cause of a low platelet count, called thrombocytopenia.

Platelets are the part of your blood mainly responsible for clotting. They are made in your bone marrow along with white and red blood cells. They make up a small part of your blood volume. But they have an important health function.

If you have platelet antibodies in your blood, it means your immune system is mistakenly creating antibodies to attack the platelets in your blood. People with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura or systemic lupus erythematosus may have platelet antibodies.

If antibodies have destroyed a considerable amount of your platelets, your healthcare provider may diagnose thrombocytopenia. Sometimes taking blood-thinning medicines can lead to a condition called drug-induced thrombocytopenia.