Does a platelet count of 519 indicate thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)?

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From the Guidelines

No, a platelet count of 519 does not indicate thrombocytopenia.

Definition of Thrombocytopenia

  • Thrombocytopenia is generally defined as a platelet count less than 150 x 10^9/L 1.
  • Some studies define thrombocytopenia as a platelet count less than 100 G/L and a decrease in the platelet count greater than 50% compared to a previous value 1.

Platelet Count Thresholds

  • A platelet count of less than 20 G/L is considered severe thrombocytopenia 1.
  • A platelet count of greater than 50 x 10^9/L is considered safe for full-dose anticoagulation 1.

Clinical Context

  • In the context of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), thrombocytopenia typically occurs between days 5 and 14 of heparin therapy 1.
  • A platelet count of 519 is well above the threshold for thrombocytopenia and does not indicate a low platelet count.

From the Research

Definition of Thrombocytopenia

  • Thrombocytopenia is defined as a platelet count of less than 150 × 10^3 per µL 2, 3, 4, 5
  • A platelet count of 519 is above this threshold

Platelet Count and Thrombocytopenia

  • A platelet count of 519 does not indicate thrombocytopenia, as it is above the defined threshold of 150 × 10^3 per µL 2, 3, 4, 5
  • Patients with platelet counts greater than 50 × 10^3 per µL rarely have symptoms 2, 3

Clinical Implications

  • Patients with platelet counts above 150 × 10^3 per µL are generally not considered to have thrombocytopenia and do not require treatment for low platelet count 2, 3, 4, 5
  • However, it is essential to consider the overall clinical context and other potential causes of symptoms or laboratory findings 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Thrombocytopenia.

American family physician, 2012

Research

Thrombocytopenia: Evaluation and Management.

American family physician, 2022

Research

Thrombocytopenia.

Critical care nursing clinics of North America, 2013

Research

Acute thrombocytopenia: picking a way through a paucity of platelets.

British journal of hospital medicine (London, England : 2005), 2019

Research

Clinical variations between three different causes of thrombocytopenia.

Nigerian journal of clinical practice, 2021

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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