Platelet Disorders

Platelets play a primary role in the hemostasis process. Platelets can bind with the help of von Willebrand Factor to the area of blood vessel injury as well as directly bind to the injury site. In addition, platelets bind to each other to form a localized platelet aggregation at the injury site. Platelets also contain two types of granules- alpha granules and dense granules.

Such conditions include:
• Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)
• Bernard-Soulier Syndrome
• Glanzmann Thrombasthenia
• Chediak-Higashi Syndrome
• Hermansky-Pudlack Syndrome
• Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP)
• Storage Pool Deficiencies

Symptoms of Platelet Disorders may include nose bleeding (epistaxis), gum bleeding, heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, and blood in the urine or stool. On the skin, Platelet Disorders may result in easy bruising, petechiae (pinpoint hemorrhages), and bruising more than expected and in unusual locations.