Platelet Disorders

Platelets, scientifically known as thrombocytes, are one of the essential components of human blood that explicitly help in the process of blood coagulation. Like red blood cells, platelets also have no nucleus. Any anomaly in platelet count can prove to be hazardous to human beings. While overwhelmingly low platelet count leads to excessive bleeding, high platelet usually result in excessive blood clotting that could block blood vessels and trigger cardiac arrest.

Any abnormality or disorder of the platelets is broadly termed as thrombocytopathy. Decline in platelet counts is known as thrombocytopathy, whereas an increase in platelets number is known as thrombocytosis. A brief account of some of the commonly known functional platelet disorders is discussed in the succeeding section.

Some Common Platelet Function Orders

Most of the platelet function disorders are mild and may not be identified in early stages of life. Some common platelet disorders are:

• Von Willebrand Disease – It is a form of bleeding disorder that has its roots in genetics. The disease is one of the most common inherited hematological disorders known to mankind. It is relatively a moderate bleeding disorder, and only affects the patients who are homozygous for the disease. This disorder characteristically bears resemblance with classic hemophilia.
• Bernard-Soulier Syndrome – This syndrome attributes to the insufficiency of platelet glycoprotein Ib that mediates the onset of platelets interaction to the subendothelial constituents. Though this order is not as frequent as von Willebrand disease, its consequences are extremely severe.
• Glanzmann Thrombasthenia – This disorder has its roots in the deficiency of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex. Like Bernard-Soulier syndrome, this disorder is also typified by life-long bleeding.

These platelet function disorders are not as prominent as the disorders related to platelet counts. Any variation in platelet count can potentially harm the human body. Some of the well-known disorders relating to platelet counts are discussed hereby:

Common Disorders Leading To Platelets Count

Broadly, theses disorders can be classified into two categories, namely reduced platelets count and elevated platelets count. Normally a healthy human body has platelet count in the range of 150,000 to 450,000 per cubic mm. Both these conditions are:

* Thrombocytopenia – Thrombocytopenia is characterized by the presence of comparatively fewer platelets in bloodstream. Generally low platelet counts don’t show any clinical troubles, but they are diagnosed by complete blood count test. Occasionally, individuals with low platelet counts may show nosebleeds and bleeding gums.

The condition is primarily recognized with the help of full blood count. In addition to CBC, other laboratory tests, such as renal function, liver enzymes, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and vitamin B12 and folic acid levels.

* Thrombocytosis – Thrombocytosis is a condition characterized by rising counts of platelets in human blood. Though the condition doesn’t have any symptoms, it can trigger human body’s susceptibility to thrombosis.

While this condition doesn’t exhibit any clinical symptoms, it can only be diagnosed with the help of complete blood count test. However, it has been found that patients with polycythemia vera often tend to have high platelet counts. Like thrombocytopenia, this condition also get picked up by other routine lab tests, such as renal function, liver enzymes, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.