Some patients have antibodies that cause platelets to clump in EDTA tubes (EDTA-induced pseudothrombocytopenia), producing falsely low counts. Using citrate as the anticoagulant prevents this clumping, providing an accurate platelet count.
This test is ordered when an unexpectedly low platelet count is found on an EDTA sample, particularly in patients who appear clinically well and have no other signs of low platelets, and especially when platelet clumps are noted on the smear. Sample type is whole blood in a sodium citrate (light blue) tube.
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