Overview
Spurious low automated platelet count due to in vitro clumping, not true thrombocytopenia.
Classification
| Clue | True thrombocytopenia | Pseudothrombocytopenia |
|---|---|---|
| Smear clumps | May or may not be present | Typical, platelet aggregates |
| Citrate repeat | Remains low | Often normal (after correction if applicable) |
| Clinical bleeding | May correlate if truly low | Usually absent unless other cause |
Morphologic Features
Clumped platelets at smear edges and in monolayer.
Laboratory Characteristics
- PLT clump flag on analyzer
Reference Intervals
Clinical and Laboratory Significance
Prevent false critical calls and unnecessary transfusion workup.
Differential Considerations
Comparison Tables
Classification Frameworks
Laboratory Notes
- Module 3: edta-anticoagulated-blood, preanalytical-variables.
References
Authoritative textbooks, guidelines, and reviews supporting this reference entry. Verify reference intervals, critical limits, and reflex criteria against institutional protocols and current guideline editions.
Textbooks
- McPherson RA, Pincus MR. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Elsevier; 2021.
- Rodak BF, Carr JH. Rodak's Hematology: Clinical Principles and Applications. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2020.
- McKenzie SB, Williams JL. Clinical Laboratory Hematology. 4th ed. Pearson; 2022.
- Bain BJ. Blood Cells: A Practical Guide. 5th ed. Wiley-Blackwell; 2015.
CLSI and Professional Guidelines
- Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Reference and Selected Performance Standards for the Automated Complete Blood Cell Count (CBC). CLSI document H26-A2. CLSI; 2010.
- Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Defining, Establishing, and Verifying Reference Intervals in the Clinical Laboratory; Approved Standard. CLSI document EP28-A3c. CLSI; 2010.
- Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Management of Critical- and Significant-Risk Results. CLSI guideline GP47-Ed1. CLSI; 2015.
- Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Collection, Transport, and Processing of Blood Specimens for Testing Plasma-Based Coagulation Assays and Molecular Hemostasis Assays; Approved Guideline. CLSI document H21-A5. CLSI; 2017.
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