They function in coagulation or blood clotting. The normal thrombocyte count in most birds is from 20,000 to 30,000 per millilitre of blood. Certain diseases can decrease or increase the platelet count. The second part of an avian profile is a blood chemistry profile. In this column I'll begin by discussing glucose and protein, two values included in the chemistry profile.
Birds have a much higher glucose level than any mammalian species.
A normal bird may have glucose in the range of 200-500 milligrams per decalitre. Hyperglycemia, or glucose levels consistently over 500, is abnormal. Stress can transiently elevate blood glucose, while diabetes often produces glucose levels over 700 milligrams per decalitre. Small birds can become hypoglycemic within 24 hours with starvation, whereas larger birds may maintain normal glucose level for two to three days. If the blood sugar becomes too low, hypoglycemic convulsions and death may occur.