How can I remember my lab values?

The Trick: Use the letters “od” in sodium to remember “odd” numbers. Then combine the first 3 odd numbers which are 1, 3, and 5. This will give you 135 which is the lower end of normal. Simply add 10, and this will give you the normal range of 135-145 mEq/L.

What activates platelets during hemostasis?

Platelets contain secretory granules. When they stick to the proteins in the vessel walls, they degranulate, thus releasing their products, which include ADP (adenosine diphosphate), serotonin, and thromboxane A2 (which activates other platelets).

What should my platelet count be in my blood?

For men, the average is between 135,000 and 317,000 per microliter of blood. If your platelet count is higher or lower than normal, it can be a sign of an underlying medical condition, or it could be a side effect of medication. A platelet count higher than 450,000 per microliter of blood is known as thrombocytosis.

How to get an accurate platelet count using citrate?

An accurate platelet count is obtained by recollecting a sample in citrate (blue top tube) and analyzing the new sample with the instrument. 2 The result must be multiplied by 1.1 to adjust for the dilution of the citrate anticoagulant.

What are the signs of a low platelet count?

Some signs of a low platelet count include bruising easily and inordinate bleeding from a small cut. So just how many platelets should be traveling through your bloodstream? A normal platelet count is between 150,000 and 400,000 per microliter of blood.

What does it mean when platelets are above the reference interval?

An increase in platelets above the reference interval is called thrombocytosis while a decrease is called thrombocytopenia. Causes of falsely high values include the false increase due to fragmented rbcs, which is discussed below.