Immature Platelet Fraction (IPF) Test: Normal Range, High & Low Levels Explained

Platelets are minute cells found in peripheral blood that are responsible for stopping bleeding. Blood platelets are formed in bone marrow. The immature platelet fraction (IPF) means the count of newly formed, young platelets in the blood.

A high immature platelet fraction value indicates that your body is producing fresh platelets, while a low immature platelet fraction value suggests that your bone marrow is not producing an adequate amount of platelets, which can be relevant in conditions such as acute coronary syndromes.

The immature platelet fraction offers significant insights into platelet production in bone marrow and helps healthcare professionals understand the cause of low platelet count. This article is all about the immature platelet fraction test and what you should know about it.

The immature platelet fraction determines the amount of freshly produced young platelets in blood, which allows healthcare professionals to understand the platelet production activity in bone marrow.

High IPF indicates that your bone marrow is efficiently producing new platelets, such as after a huge blood loss or due to immune thrombocytopenia. Low IPF indicates that your bone marrow is not producing enough platelets, which can be due to bone marrow-associated disorders or chemotherapy, especially in the context of antiplatelet therapy.

Immature platelet fraction offers valuable information about the causes of low platelet count, whether it's due to poor platelet production, destruction, or bone marrow disorders, and is crucial for differential diagnosis. It helps doctors and healthcare professionals decide on an accurate treatment plan.

The bone marrow continuously forms fresh platelets called immature platelets. The immature platelet fraction test determines the level of newly produced blood platelets. The IPF test helps your healthcare provider understand if your bone marrow is efficiently producing platelets.

• The IPF test involves a simple procedure, as it is performed using advanced machines as part of a complete blood count.

• Similar to a typical blood test, your blood sample is withdrawn from a vein in your arm.

• Your blood sample is put in a special machine that assesses platelet count and recognises the freshly formed ones.

• The automated analyzer machine shows the IPF count, suggesting the newly made fractions of platelets.

Usually, a healthcare provider recommends an IPF test to better understand the bone marrow function and the cause of thrombocytopenia (low platelet count).

Typical immature platelet fraction normal range may slightly vary depending on the type of analyzer the laboratory uses. Generally, the immature platelet fraction range for adults ranges between 1% to 7%. Certain factors, such as age, gender, and health conditions of the individual, may affect the IPF levels.

• An IPF value less than 1% is considered a low immature platelet fraction.

• An IPF value of more than 7% is considered a high immature platelet fraction.

The exact reference ranges may vary depending on the analyzer being used and the diagnostic center or laboratory; thus, the healthcare professionals interpret the result considering the total platelet count and health condition.

The immature platelet fraction is high, meaning that the bone marrow is efficiently producing new platelets and actively releasing them into your bloodstream, which can also be assessed alongside mean platelet volume. It indicates that your body is actively functioning to replace the lost or destroyed platelets, preventing the low platelet count.

During the recovery phase after bone marrow suppression or chemotherapy, as the bone marrow resumes its function and starts forming new platelets, the immature platelet fraction value rises.

After a surgical procedure or heavy bleeding, the body starts making platelets more efficiently in order to compensate for the lost ones, which increases IPF values.

Some infections and sometimes the inflammation may increase the platelet production in the body, which makes the IPF value rise.

In case of platelet destruction, such as Immune thrombocytopenia, where the immune system itself abolishes the platelets, the bone marrow produces platelets more speedily, which increases the IPF level in the body.

A high immature platelet fraction value indicates that your bone marrow is making platelets very well and even more efficiently. The high IPF values are usually not associated with a bone marrow disorder, but it is a good response to excess platelet loss.

So, the high IPF is not dangerous; however, it indicates that a healthy bone marrow is actively forming fresh platelets to meet the body's platelet needs.

High immature platelet fraction doesn’t cause symptoms because it's not a health condition. However, the condition responsible for high IPF, such as bleeding, some infections, and platelet destruction, may cause some symptoms.

• Bleeding or easy bruising usually in the skin, nose, or gums

• Small red or purplish spots on the skin

• Extended bleeding from mild injuries or cuts

• Weakness due to bleeding or anemia

• Fever and symptoms of infection due to immune-associated causes and inflammation

• Low platelet count found in blood tests

We have learned about the high IPF. Now, let's explore what a low immature platelet fraction means.

A low immature platelet fraction shows that your bone marrow is not functioning properly and is not meeting the body’s platelet needs. The immature platelet fraction value decreases when the bone marrow is not producing adequate platelets, which may lead to thrombocytopenia or low platelet count in the body.

A low IPF value means your bone marrow is not properly responding to low blood platelets. It helps healthcare professionals understand the causes of reduced platelet production.

• Bone marrow suppression (due to anemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, or leukemia

• Chemotherapy (may suppress the bone marrow function)

• Chronic illness and severe infections (affect bone marrow activity)

• Vitamin B12 deficiency (Vital for blood cell formation)

Here’s how the immature platelet fraction is associated with specific health conditions:

Typically, in dengue fever, the platelet count drops to extremely low levels. IPF helps track platelet recovery in dengue. The immature platelet fraction test offers significant insights into how bone marrow is responding to low platelet count in the body, including the role of reticulated platelets. It helps doctors determine if your bone marrow has resumed producing new platelets even before the total platelet count increases.

• Dengue influences the bone marrow activity that slows down its function, temporarily leading to low platelet production.

• During recovery, the first immature platelet fraction level rises, indicating that bone marrow resumed its activity and is actively making new platelets.

• After a few days, as the platelet needs are fulfilled, the total platelet count also rises.

The immature platelet fraction IPF value usually keeps fluctuating during pregnancy. It happens because pregnancy naturally makes the pregnant woman’s blood and bone marrow change. Pregnancy significantly influences the way platelets are formed and utilized by the body.

Let's understand why immature platelet fraction changes during pregnancy:

The woman’s blood volume increases during pregnancy, which may somewhat dilute the blood platelets. It may cause slightly decreased platelet production and higher IPF values as the bone marrow starts producing more platelets.

During pregnancy, especially in the last trimester, the female body utilizes platelets faster, making the bone marrow produce more platelets, leading to a high Immature platelet count.

The female hormones keep fluctuating throughout the pregnancy, such as estrogen affects the blood cell production that may cause mild fluctuations in immature platelet count.

IPF result interpretation depends on the immature platelet fraction test value and clinical scenario, considering the platelet count of the patient (low, normal, or recovering).

Here’s the overview of immature platelet fraction interpretation in various situations:

High IPF shows that the bone marrow is functioning well and efficiently forming fresh platelets. The possible causes include loss or destruction of platelets due to bleeding, dengue, or immune thrombocytopenia.

Low IPF suggests that the bone marrow is not functioning well and is not making an adequate amount of platelets. It happens because of the problem with platelet production due to leukemia, chemotherapy, bone marrow suppression, or aplastic anemia.

Normal IPF value (1%-7%) indicates normal production of platelets and healthy bone marrow functioning.

High IPF value suggests increased turnover of blood platelets and may be due to recent recovery from low platelets or early immune destruction.

Low IPD shows reduced production of platelets due to early bone marrow suppression.

The immature platelet fraction value rises before the increase in blood platelet count because of platelet recovery as the bone marrow resumes its activity.

The immature platelet fraction value falls along with the blood platelet count due to bone marrow failure or ongoing bone marrow suppression.

Low immature platelet fraction due to bone marrow suppression by certain diseases or medications.

High immature platelet fraction due to ongoing recovery after the treatment or bone marrow transplant.

A slight increase in immature platelet fraction, along with low platelet count, is considered normal because of gestational thrombocytopenia, which is due to increased platelet turnover.

Prolonged low immature platelet fraction with low platelet count indicates bone marrow-associated concerns or certain medical disorders that require evaluation.

The typical cost of an IPF test differs depending on various factors such as the city, equipment being used, diagnostic center, laboratory, sample collection, and insurance coverage, etc. The typical IPF test price in India ranges between INR 300 to INR 700. MyDiagnostics offers great discounts on health packages, ensuring reduced cost and efficient outcomes.

If you experience certain signs and symptoms that indicate abnormal platelet activity, you should visit your healthcare provider. Any kind of abnormal platelet activity, including too few platelets, too many platelets, or improper functioning, can influence the blood clotting process in the body. It may lead to unusual bleeding or other symptoms.

• Easy bruising from Tiny bumps

• Persistent bleeding from mild cuts and injuries

• Frequent nosebleeding

• Bleeding gum

• Prolonged or heavy menstrual periods

• Bloody urine or stool

• Red or purple spots on the skin

• Swelling and pain in the legs

• Shortness of breath or pain in the chest

• Tingling or numb sensation in toes and fingers

• Dizziness and headache

• Vision changes

If you experience any of these symptoms, frequent bruising or unusual bleeding, make sure you consult your doctor and get tested to prevent complications. The immature platelet fraction test allows timely diagnosis and helps doctors understand the causes of low platelet count and decide the right treatment.

The immature platelet fraction or IPF test offers valuable information about your bone marrow function and how well it is making new blood platelets. It assesses the amount of newly formed platelets in the blood.

The IPF test offers a quick understanding of bone marrow activity and helps medical professionals detect the causes of low platelets. Monitoring immature platelet fraction levels helps with early detection of issues with platelet production and supports better clinical outcomes.

***Medical Disclaimer - The following information is for educational purposes only. No information provided on this website, including text, graphics, and images, is intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your doctor about specific medical advice about your condition(s).