Platelets
Platelet count reflects the number of circulating thrombocytes. Females have higher counts than males across all age groups, and counts decline gradually with age in both sexes.
Unit: 1000 cells/uL · 12 slices · age and sex · 1 source
Filed under panels: Complete Blood Count · topics: Hematology
Platelets (thrombocytes) are small cell fragments essential for hemostasis. Platelet count varies with age, sex, inflammation, and bone marrow function. Females consistently have higher counts than males, a difference that persists across the lifespan. Population distributions are broad because many conditions affect platelet production and consumption.
Population Distribution
Browse by Demographic
| Age (years) | male (1000 cells/uL) | female (1000 cells/uL) |
|---|---|---|
| 20-29 | 170–336 (233) | 181–382 (261) |
| 30-39 | 159–341 (235) | 172–384 (261) |
| 40-49 | 163–328 (233) | 174–396 (263) |
| 50-59 | 137–326 (218) | 163–370 (256) |
| 60-69 | 143–318 (220) | 165–360 (244) |
| 70+ | 127–314 (202) | 154–337 (232) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do females have higher platelet counts than males?
The mechanism is not fully understood, but differences in thrombopoietin regulation, hormonal effects on megakaryopoiesis, and iron status (iron deficiency can stimulate platelet production) all likely contribute.
Why do platelet counts decline with age?
Bone marrow cellularity decreases with age, and reduced stem cell reserve can lower platelet production. The decline is gradual and the population distribution remains broad at every age.
What does the unit "1000 cells/uL" mean?
Platelet counts are reported in thousands per microliter. A value of 250 on this site means 250,000 platelets per microliter of blood. Some lab reports write this as 250 x 10^3/µL or simply 250 K/µL.