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FeedbackThrombocytopenia is a common clinical condition with a broad differential diagnosis, and identifying its etiology involves careful assessment of both clinical characteristics and the results of well-chosen laboratory tests. Thrombocytopenic disorders include numerous causes of decreased platelet production or increased platelet destruction and encompass conditions such as congenital thrombocytopenia, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT), thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs), and primary immune thrombocytopenia, previously referred to as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Thrombocytopenic disorders can be life threatening, with increased bleeding or even thrombotic risk, depending on the underlying cause, and the clinical context (eg, an acutely ill, pregnant, or ambulatory patient) helps to determine which tests should be ordered and with what urgency. Initial and essential laboratory tests in all cases include a CBC and a peripheral blood smear, which can provide important clues about the etiology of the thrombocytopenia. Subsequent testing is guided by the clinical presentation and the results of initial laboratory tests and may involve chemistry, urine, hematology, coagulation, and antibody tests, among others.
Quick Answers for Clinicians
Pseudothrombocytopenia is a spurious thrombocytopenia that most commonly occurs due to clumping of platelets when blood is collected in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). This causes underestimation of platelet counts by automated analyzers. The problem can be resolved by peripheral smear review to identify the platelet clumping and manually estimate the true platelet count, or by recollection of a specimen in a different anticoagulant (such as sodium citrate), which allows accurate analyzer platelet counts to be obtained. The clinical significance is related to the risk of mistaking the pseudothrombocytopenia for true thrombocytopenia.
Bleeding risk usually does not occur until the platelet count falls below 50-100 x 109/L. Major bleeding due to thrombocytopenia generally does not occur until the platelet count is <20 x 109/L. If there is platelet dysfunction or if antiplatelet medications are present, bleeding can occur at higher platelet counts than these thresholds.
No, certain disorders such as disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs) such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) are associated with increased thrombotic risk. Thrombocytopenia can result from a large number of underlying disorders, and close correlation with clinical and laboratory information is necessary for accurate diagnosis and assessment of bleeding or thrombotic risk.
Primary immune thrombocytopenia, previously referred to as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, is a diagnosis of exclusion. Patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia may demonstrate reduced platelet counts without an obvious underlying cause. Autoantibodies result in platelet destruction but also can suppress bone marrow platelet production. Diagnosis is generally based on clinical features, CBC, and evaluation of the peripheral blood smear to rule out other hematologic conditions.
Indications for Testing
Testing for thrombocytopenic disorders should be considered in patients with platelet counts <100-150 x 109/L.
Laboratory Testing
Diagnosis
CBC and Peripheral Smear
The first step in a workup for a suspected thrombocytopenic disorder is to confirm the thrombocytopenia by repeating the CBC and/or performing peripheral smear review. In uncommon circumstances, the platelet count can be inaccurate (pseudothrombocytopenia) as a result of platelet clumping when blood is collected in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Platelet clumping can be seen on peripheral smear review. To obtain an accurate platelet count, a repeat CBC can be performed using an alternative anticoagulant, such as sodium citrate. The platelet count can also be estimated by expert peripheral smear review.
Once thrombocytopenia is confirmed, results should be considered in light of the clinical context (eg, newborn, pregnant, or asymptomatic patient; bleeding or thrombosis; other cytopenias; current medical conditions and medications), which provides essential clues as to the etiology.
The peripheral smear review can also provide clues. For example, the presence of schistocytes may indicate a microangiopathic process, such as DIC or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), but is not a sensitive or specific finding for these disorders.
A workup for hemolysis and coagulation disorders may also be helpful during initial evaluation. Testing for DIC, an acquired condition that results in widespread clotting (particularly in small vessels) and consumption of coagulation factors and platelets, should be performed in all hospitalized patients with thrombocytopenia. Refer to the DIC ARUP Consult topic for additional information about testing for this condition.
Testing to Determine Etiology
Secondary testing should be performed based on the patient’s history and clinical presentation to identify the cause of the thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenic disorders are generally associated with either decreased platelet production or increased platelet destruction (either immune mediated or nonimmune mediated). The following table presents some potential causes of thrombocytopenia. For more information about testing for specific disorders, refer to the individual ARUP Consult topics linked to below.
| Categorya | Cause | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Increased platelet destruction (nonimmune mediated) | DIC |
Acquired condition that results in widespread clotting in the bloodstream, consumption of coagulation factors and platelets, and activation of fibrinolysis Clinical symptoms can include both bleeding and clotting manifestations |
| Sepsis | Associated not only with an increase in platelet destruction and consumption but also with decreased platelet production | |
| Decreased platelet production | Congenital disorder |
Rare condition with varied causes and clinical characteristics Platelet size and severity and duration of bleeding tendency can help distinguish among the numerous forms Genetic testing may be helpful in some cases |
| Bone marrow disorder | Examples: primary bone marrow or metastatic malignancy, ineffective or abnormal regulation of thrombopoiesis, vitamin deficiencies | |
| Chemical or toxin | Examples: chemotherapy or ionizing radiation, alcohol | |
| Infection | Examples: adenovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, HIV, or bacterial/protozoal infections | |
| Increased platelet destruction (immune mediated) | Primary immune thrombocytopenia |
May demonstrate reduced platelet count without obvious underlying cause Autoantibodies result in platelet destruction but also can suppress bone marrow platelet production Diagnosis generally based on clinical features, CBC, and blood smear; immune thrombocytopenia is a diagnosis of exclusion Can occur in combination with other immune cytopenias (Evans syndrome) |
| Connective tissue or systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease |
Autoimmune diseases with associated autoimmune platelet destruction |
|
| HIT |
Highly prothrombotic condition of platelet activation caused by immune complexes containing heparin-platelet factor 4 antibodies that develop following heparin administration Platelet counts are often 50% lower than baseline; pretest probability can be assessed with 4Ts or another clinical scoring tool |
|
| NAIT |
Results from maternal alloantibodies that form in response to paternally inherited fetal platelet antigens Alloantibodies cross placenta and cause fetal platelet destruction |
|
| Posttransfusion purpura |
Associated with severe thrombocytopenia that manifests 5-14 days after platelet transfusion Both autoantibodies and alloantibodies play a role |
|
| Drug induced |
Associated drugs include sulfonamides, quinidines, heparin, adenosine diphosphate-receptor antagonists such as clopidogrel, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors Drug-induced platelet destruction can occur due to a variety of immune mechanisms |
|
| TMAs |
Examples: TTP, HUS, aHUS, HELLP syndrome Thrombotic conditions associated with severe thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic RBC destruction |
|
|
aThrombocytopenia can also result from splenic sequestration due to splenomegaly and from dilution (eg, due to major surgery or transfusion). aHUS, atypical HUS; APS, antiphospholipid syndrome; HELLP, hemolysis, elevated liver function tests, and low platelet count; HUS, hemolytic uremic syndrome; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; RBC, red blood cell; SLE, systemic lupus erythematosus Sources: Smock, 2014 ; Hunt, 2014 ; Provan, 2019 ; Greinacher, 2016 ; Salter, 2016 ; Winkelhorst, 2017 |
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The following table summarizes the typical test results seen in patients with DIC, TTP, and HIT. Refer to the associated ARUP Consult topics for more information about testing for these conditions.
| Disorder | CBC/Blood Smear | PT/aPTT/Fibrinogen Tests | Other Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
|
(fibrin clots) |
Anemia Thrombocytopenia Schistocytes |
Prolonged clotting times Decreased fibrinogen |
Markedly elevated D-dimer |
|
(platelet-rich clots) |
Anemia Thrombocytopenia Schistocytes (present in large numbers) |
Normal or minimal abnormalities |
ADAMTS-13 <5-10% of normal ADAMTS-13 antibodies in acquired form |
|
(platelet activation, then thrombin/fibrin formation) |
Thrombocytopenia | Normal or minimal abnormalities in most cases, although some cases have more pronounced abnormalities |
Strongly positive ELISA for heparin-platelet factor 4 antibodies Positive SRA |
| aPTT, activated partial thromboplastin time; ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; PT, prothrombin time; SRA, serotonin-release assay | |||
ARUP Laboratory Tests
Automated Cell Count/Differential
Cytochemical Stain
Test Fact Sheet(s)
Medical Experts
Moser
Rodgers III
Smock
References
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AACC - The Role of ADAMTS13 Testing in the Work up of Suspected Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Smock KJ. The role of ADAMTS13 testing in the work up of suspected thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. American Association for Clinical Chemistry. [Published: Apr 2016; Accessed: Apr 2020]
For more information about disorder-specific testing, refer to the DIC, HELLP, HIT, NAIT, and TMAs ARUP Consult topics.