It is time to rethink platelet count reference intervals actually used to define "normal" a person basing on his sex and age. A study recently published in PLOS ONE (http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0054289) analyzed about 41.000 subjects involving 3 CNR Institutes and other research facilities, and showed that women had steadily more platelets than men. The number of platelets decreases quickly in childhood, stabilizes in adulthood, and further decreases in oldness. Furthermore a significant variability amongst platelet count in the inhabitants of the different investigated geographic areas was observed.
Interview to Dr. Ginevra Biino IGM CNR - http://www.lescienze.it/lanci/2013/02/19/news/cnr_a_ciascuno_le_sue_piastrine-1517624/
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