Which laboratory finding is NOT expected in cirrhosis?

In cirrhosis, the liver's ability to synthesize proteins and metabolize substances is significantly impaired. This condition leads to a variety of characteristic laboratory findings.

High bilirubin levels are expected in cirrhosis due to the liver's reduced ability to conjugate and excrete bilirubin, resulting in jaundice. Low albumin levels also occur because the liver is the primary site for albumin synthesis, and cirrhosis leads to a decrease in this function. Prolonged prothrombin time (PT) indicates impaired hepatic synthesis of clotting factors, which is common in cirrhosis due to vitamin K malabsorption and reduced factor production.

In contrast, an increased platelet count is not expected in cirrhosis. Instead, patients often present with thrombocytopenia, a decrease in platelet count, due to splenomegaly caused by portal hypertension and the sequestration of platelets in the enlarged spleen, as well as impaired thrombopoietin production by the liver. Therefore, the expected laboratory finding that does not fit the typical profile in cirrhosis is the increased platelet count.