Thrombopoietin is a hormone produced by the liver and kidneys that regulates platelet production. Hematopoietic stem cells differentiate into megakaryoblasts, which eventually differentiate into mature megakaryocytes. Platelets are the cytoplasmic fragments of the megakaryocytes.
Platelet count reference range: 150,000/microliter (150 x 109/L) - 450,000/microliter (450 x 109/L)