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Thrombocytopenia

Medically reviewed by: Robin E. Miller, MD

What Is Thrombocytopenia?

Thrombocytopenia (pronounced: throm-buh-sye-tuh-PEE-nee-uh) is when there aren't as many normal platelets in the blood as there should be. Platelets are tiny colorless cells in the blood that help the blood clot. Like all blood cells, platelets are made in the bone marrow (the spongy inner part of bones).