Plt
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Platelet count |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Medical, Military |
Plt has two meanings. It stands for Platelet count (laboratory test) or Platoon (military unit and organization).
Meanings of Plt at a glance
| # | Plt stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Platelet count | Medical › Laboratory Test |
| 2 | Platoon | Military › Military Unit and Organization |
1. Platelet count
Medical · Laboratory Test Abbreviations
Number of platelets (thrombocytes) per microliter of blood, normally about 150,000 to 450,000. Low counts (thrombocytopenia) raise bleeding risk and have causes ranging from heparin and immune destruction to marrow disease; high counts (thrombocytosis) are usually reactive to inflammation, surgery or iron deficiency.
Example: Plt 42K today, so hold enoxaparin and send a HIT antibody test.
Often written plt or PLT and reported in thousands, so "plt 210" means 210,000 per microliter. Spontaneous bleeding is uncommon until counts fall below roughly 10,000 to 20,000. Platelets can clump in the EDTA tube and produce a falsely low count (pseudothrombocytopenia), which is checked by redrawing into a citrate tube or reviewing a blood smear.
2. Platoon
Military · Military Unit and Organization Abbreviations
Unit of three or four squads, typically 16 to 50 soldiers or Marines, led by a lieutenant with a senior NCO as platoon sergeant. Several platoons form a company, troop or battery.
Example: 3rd Plt will secure the bridge until relieved by the engineers.
The word comes from the French "peloton," a small ball or group. Specialized platoons, such as mortar, scout, sniper and medical platoons, are often part of a battalion's headquarters company. In the British Army, platoons are commanded by second lieutenants or lieutenants called platoon commanders.
Related abbreviations
More laboratory test abbreviations
- PBS – Peripheral blood smear
- PCR – Polymerase chain reaction
- PCT – Procalcitonin
- Phos – Phosphorus (serum phosphate)
- POCT – Point-of-care testing
- PSA – Prostate-specific antigen
- PT – Prothrombin time
- PT/INR – Prothrombin time with international normalized ratio
See all 135 laboratory test abbreviations →
More military unit and organization abbreviations
- PACAF – Pacific Air Forces
- PACOM – United States Pacific Command
- PJ – Pararescue jumper
- PLA – People's Liberation Army
- RA – Royal Artillery
- RAF – Royal Air Force
- RE – Royal Engineers
- Regt – Regiment
See all 126 military unit and organization abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.