A patient seated in the chair before a blood draw
In person

Platelet Count

How many clotting platelets you have, from one blood draw.

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  • 2,000+ lab locations. Find one near you
  • Nothing due at the lab. FSA / HSA accepted
  • Ordered by a licensed clinician

At a glance

Collection
Blood draw
A standard blood draw at the lab.
Preparation
None
Nothing to do ahead of time. Water is fine.
Results
1 to 2 days
Typical turnaround after your visit.
Where
2,000+ lab locations
Nationwide, with nothing due at the lab.

About this test

Platelets are small cell fragments, not whole cells, that help your blood form clots and stop bleeding. This test counts how many you have. People check it to follow a known count, when a provider asks before a procedure, or when bruising raises the question. It does not measure how well platelets work.

For adults 18 and older. Test availability varies by lab location.

Who should take this test?

This test is for adults following a known platelet count, preparing for a procedure at a healthcare provider’s request, or with questions about easy bruising or bleeding.

Ask about this test

Not sure this is the right test?

AI-generated. For information only, not medical advice. Call 911 for an emergency.

What does this test measure?

Your result shows how many platelets are in your blood compared with the lab’s reference range, which can help a healthcare provider understand bruising or bleeding questions.

Platelet count
Platelets are small cell fragments that help your blood clot and stop bleeding. This count shows how many are in your blood. It can rise with inflammation, low iron, or after an infection, and fall with some medicines, infections, or conditions that affect the bone marrow or spleen.
Why it’s measured: Counts the cell fragments that help your blood clot and stop bleeding.

How it works

  1. Step 1

    Order online

    Check out here. A licensed clinician in your state reviews your order and sends it to the lab.

  2. Step 2

    Visit a lab

    Bring a photo ID to any of 2,000+ lab locations. No fasting needed, and nothing is due at the lab.

  3. Step 3

    Get your results

    Results post to your account, usually in 1 to 2 days, each number next to the lab’s reference range.

Find a lab near you

Choose from 2,000+ lab locations nationwide. Your order works at any of them.

What your results tell you

Platelets are reported as a count per microliter of blood, usually shown in thousands, next to the lab’s reference range.

  • Your number next to the lab’s reference range
  • Explained in plain language
  • A licensed clinician reviews your order and, if appropriate, orders the test.
  • A lab report you can download and share

An out-of-range count can need prompt follow-up with a healthcare provider, who can explain it and whether a repeat count would help.

Clinical-grade testing, from the comfort of home.

From the lab to your report, every step of our process meets the gold standard in medical testing.

  • CLIA-certified labs

    Every lab we partner with is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, meeting both state and federal standards with regular independent inspections.

  • We protect your health data

    We protect your health data with encryption and do not sell it. Some results must be reported to public health authorities by law. See our Privacy Notice.

  • Rigorous quality assurance

    All partner labs run regular internal quality checks, participate in proficiency testing, and comply with federal and state lab regulations.

  • Clinician-reviewed reports

    Results are reviewed by an independent, licensed clinician.

Questions

Common questions.

Anything else, our care team answers by phone, text, or email.

Platelets are small fragments that break off from larger cells in the bone marrow. They are not complete cells. When a blood vessel is injured, platelets gather at the spot and help form a clot.

Platelets need to be present in adequate numbers and work properly to help stop bleeding.

How the sample is handled matters. A difficult draw or a chilled sample can cause platelets to clump in the tube, which can make the count read lower than it really is, so the lab keeps the sample at room temperature. If a result is unexpected, a healthcare provider may suggest repeating it.

A platelet count shows how many platelets you have, not how well they work. It also doesn’t measure the clotting proteins in your blood. A healthcare provider can suggest other tests if bleeding questions remain.

If you have bleeding that is heavy or won’t stop, get medical care right away rather than waiting on a test.

Lab tests are informational and don’t diagnose conditions on their own. Available to adults 18 and older; test availability varies by lab location. A licensed clinician reviews your order and, if appropriate, orders the test. All testing is performed at CLIA-certified laboratories. Not for emergencies: if you think you may be having a medical emergency, call 911.