The automated counters have algorithyms that tend to look at the "size" of the components to count them. As the bone marrow processes put out platelets they are big and plump, and the size gets smaller over their 7-10 day life span. For those of us with overactive immune systems most of ours can be young and fresh and miss counted as other blood components. The good news is that big plump platelets work better to stop bleeding. While there can be human error in manual counts they may be more correct for ITP patients. The other concern is "clumping" if the draw is done a lab draw station and sits for some time before it goes to the main lab for processing. My count is always higher in the Hemo office than going to Labcorp or SenoraQuest draw centers.
"I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them have never happened.\" — Mark Twain\\\\\\"Worry is a misuse of the imagination.\" — Dan Zadra
