What are platelets?

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

Dr Kamran Mohammed

General Practitioner

MBBS
FIDM
5+ Yrs

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Platelets are pieces of very large cells in the bone marrow called megakaryocytes. They help form blood clots to slow or stop bleeding and to help wounds heal.

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Answered 24/07/2025

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My platelet count has suddenly dropped by half. My recent blood test showed a platelet count of 80,000, whereas 10 days ago it was 160,000. My hemoglobin has increased over the same period from 11.7 to 12.2. I have not experienced any fever. I do have some acid reflux issues and occasional palpitations. Recently, I noticed swelling around the left side of my face near my left tonsils and a sensation of something stuck in my ear and tonsils. My doctor said this could be due to a bacterial infection, but I never had a fever. Please advise what could be causing this sudden drop in platelets and if there are any good supplements to help increase platelet count.

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Since yesterday, rashes have started all over my body and I also have fever. I vomited once this morning. I consulted a physician and got a blood report which shows platelet count 3.6 lakhs. Should not this be a serious issue?

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