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General questions and discussion about multiple myeloma (i.e., symptoms, lab results, news, etc.) If unsure where to post, use this discussion area.

Platelet testing

by Stann on Sun Sep 01, 2013 1:16 am

The last two months, my platelet counts have come back unreadable.
And they want to rerun the test with sodium citrate rather than with EDTA.
What would cause this change in the way they want test the platelets?
Any thoughts?

Stann

Re: Platelet testing

by Richard L on Mon Sep 02, 2013 8:15 am

Sometimes the platelets in an EDTA collection tube will clump together making them undetectable to be counted by the hematology CBC analyzer. So it is common practice in the laboratory to recollect the CBC sample in an Sodium Citrate collection tube to help prevent the platelets from clumping when this happens. EDTA and Sodium Citrate are anticoagulant agents to help maintain the samples integrity. Hope this help answer your question.

Richard L
Name: Richard
Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
When were you/they diagnosed?: 03/02/2011
Age at diagnosis: 60

Re: Platelet testing

by Stann on Tue Sep 03, 2013 6:05 pm

Hi Richard,
Thanks for your input.
I just received results back today and all is well.
They just say that "sometimes this happens". I've been tested about 60 times in last 4 years, so I wondered why now they would need to run a different test. (2 times in a row).
So when I hear about "clumping" platelets, and I know I'm supposed to watch for blot clots with Revlimid, I was concerned.
But platelets are good, so I'm at ease--but am interested as to why the change. Thanks again.

Stann


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