Medicine
Diagnostic Criteria for Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
Quick fact
In HIT, the same antibodies that destroy platelets also activate them, causing blood clots—so patients can have both low platelets and dangerous thromboembolism.
Why this is interesting
Imagine a patient's platelet count suddenly drops while they're receiving a common blood thinner. Could the very drug meant to help be causing a dangerous clotting paradox?