Platelet disorders affect platelets, which are important for blood clotting and other bodily functions. There are two types: disorders related to platelet count and problems related to platelet function. Diagnosis involves blood tests and genetic testing, and treatment depends on the underlying cause. Some conditions can be managed, while others may require lifelong appointments with a hematologist.
Platelet disorders are medical conditions involving platelets, a blood component that is essential for hemostasis as well as many other bodily functions. There are a huge number of conditions that fall under the umbrella of platelet disorders and there are a number of causes for those conditions. When patients are diagnosed with a platelet-related condition, there are several treatment options that can be used to address the condition and its underlying cause.
There are two main types of platelet disorders: disorders related to the number of platelets and problems related to platelet function. Patients may have artificially high or low platelet counts or platelets that don’t work properly. These conditions may or may not be inherited and may be immune-mediated, meaning that there is an abnormal function of the immune system involved, or they may not be. Determining the involvement of heredity and the immune system is important in diagnosis and treatment.
Number disorders can be caused by too much or too little platelet production in the bone marrow, along with abnormal rates of destruction or sequestration in the body. These types of platelet disorders can often be diagnosed with a complete blood count in which a blood sample is taken and tested to learn more about the number of active platelets in the body.
Problems with function such as Bernard-Soulier disease and von Willebrand disease involve normal platelet numbers, with a problem in basic platelet function. These conditions are often genetic, involving an improperly encoded protein, but they can also be acquired.
If a patient has a suspected platelet disorder, they are usually referred to a hematologist, a doctor who specializes in blood disorders. The hematologist may recommend further tests to learn more about the patient’s disorder and potential causes, including blood tests, bone marrow samples, and genetic testing. Once the condition has been diagnosed, your doctor can determine which treatment will be most appropriate.
In the case of congenital conditions, it may not be possible to cure platelet disorders, but the conditions can be managed so that they are less likely to interfere with a patient’s quality of life. Other platelet disorders can be addressed by treating an underlying cause. The patient may be required to attend lifelong appointments with a hematologist to check for early signs of changes and the development of complications that may indicate that a serious problem is emerging.
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