Platelets and White Blood Cells: Key Indicators of Your Body’s Defense System

When reviewing blood test results, many people focus solely on the numbers without understanding their meaning. Platelets and white blood cells are two essential components that reflect the condition of your body’s defense system.

Platelets play a crucial role in blood clotting, helping prevent excessive bleeding when injuries occur. Low platelet levels may increase the risk of bleeding and are often associated with conditions such as Dengue Fever. On the other hand, excessively high platelet counts can also be dangerous, as they may increase the risk of blood vessel blockage.

White blood cells, or leukocytes, function as the body’s defense force against infections. Elevated levels usually indicate that the body is fighting an infection, particularly bacterial infections. Conversely, low white blood cell counts may signal a weakened immune system or certain nutritional deficiencies.

A Complete Blood Count (CBC) is a simple yet comprehensive test to evaluate these parameters. The test does not require fasting and uses a venous blood sample taken from the arm. If abnormal results are accompanied by symptoms such as prolonged fever, unexplained weight loss, or spontaneous bleeding, consulting a healthcare professional is strongly recommended rather than attempting self-diagnosis.