Skip to content
ENExplore Calculators

Platelet Dose Calculator

Work out platelet dose instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Platelet Dose Calculator

Applies the one unit per 10 kg rule for pooled platelets and estimates the expected count increment from blood volume and the usual 67 percent recovery.

Formula

Platelet dose

Units = weight / 10 x units per 10 kg; expected increment = platelets transfused x recovery / blood volume, with blood volume about 75 mL/kg

Worked example

With the default values below, Platelet Dose Calculator returns Platelet units required of 7.00. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Body weightaccepts 1–200 kg
70 kg
Pooled units per 10 kgaccepts 0.5–2
1
Platelets per unitaccepts 0.5–6 x10^11
3 x10^11

Results

Platelet units required
7.00
Platelets transfused
21.00 x10^11
Expected platelet rise
268 x10^9/L
Units to order
7

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Platelet dose
  3. 3Platelet units required= 7.00
  4. 4Platelets transfused= 21.00 x10^11
  5. 5Expected platelet rise= 268 x10^9/L
  6. 6Units to order= 7

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 3 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
  • Educational estimate only. Not a substitute for professional clinical judgement, and must not be used to make treatment or dosing decisions.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Educational estimate only. Not a substitute for professional clinical judgement, and must not be used to make treatment or dosing decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What increment is expected?

An adult dose typically raises the count by 20 to 40 x10^9/L in a patient without consumption or splenomegaly.

When is refractoriness suspected?

When two consecutive transfusions give a poor increment, prompting HLA antibody testing.

Related Calculators

Platelet Dose Calculator – Calculate Platelet units required