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Pseudothrombocytopenia

Pseudothrombocytopenia
#00012960
Author: Blood Work
Category: Laboratory Hematology > Basics of automated cell counts  
Published Date: 07/30/2012

A 57-year-old retired farmer with no personal or family history of bleeding was found to have thrombocytopenia on routine blood work. He had a history of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and osteoarthritis. Medications included perindopril, insulin glargine, aspirin, metformin, ibuprofen, and oregano oil. Physical examination was normal. His complete blood count (CBC) revealed a white blood cell count of 9.4 × 109/L, hemoglobin 160 g/L, and platelets of 10 × 109/L by automated counter. A peripheral blood film showed clumping of platelets (shown). A bone marrow aspirate and biopsy, initially performed to rule out myelodysplasia, was normal with normal-appearing megakaryocytes in adequate numbers. The original blood sample used ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as an anticoagulant. A repeat CBC was done in sodium citrate and the platelet count was normal. The patient was diagnosed with pseudothrombocytopenia and no further treatment or blood work was required. Unrecogn

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