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Biomarkers

What is Plateletcrit (PCT)?

plateletcrit normal range low meaning high

What is Plateletcrit PCT?

Definition: Plateletcrit (short: PCT) is the volume occupied by platelets in the blood.

WHAT ARE PLATELETS?

Platelets (click here for more info) are really small blood cells that help form clots to stop bleeding. If a blood vessels gets damaged, it sends out signals that get picked up by platelets. The platelets then rush to the site of damage and form a plug, or clot, to repair the damage.

The amount of platelets in the blood is maintained in an equilibrium state by regeneration and elimination.

The normal range for Plateletcrit (PCT) is 0.22–0.24%

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Plateletcrit is one of the Platelet indices (PI). The other ones are Mean Platelet Volume  (MPV) and Platelet Distribution Width (PDW).

Plateletcrit (PCT) is the volume occupied by platelets in the blood as a percentage and calculated according to the formula PCT = platelet count × MPV / 10,000 (25-27). Under physiological conditions, the amount of platelets in the blood is maintained in an equilibrium state by regeneration and elimination. In healthy subjects, platelet mass is closely regulated to keep it constant, while MPV is inversely related to platelet counts.

Genetic and acquired factors, such as race, age, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and physical activity, modify blood platelet count and MPV.

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