Question 1. My husband’s periods have been causing prolonged bleeding for a while. That’s why research was started. As a result, platelets were found to be high in my blood. I was told it could be related to this. Research continues. I learned from the internet that platelets are cells that allow blood to clot. So why is my wife’s bleeding increasing? What do you think could be the cause of my problem?
Answer 1. The cells known as thrombocyte or platelet in the blood are the cells that provide coagulation in the blood as you mentioned. For example, these are the cells that make the first intervention when we are cut. These cells come together to initiate coagulation. Then other blood proteins come into play and ensure the continuation of coagulation.
Platelets can increase for a variety of reasons. We know that they increase as a reaction to the disease in infections, rheumatic diseases, anemia due to iron deficiency, and cancers. In these diseases, the increase in thrombocyte is not permanent. Platelets also return to normal when the underlying disease is treated. There is no impairment in platelet functions either.
Another group in which platelets increase is bone marrow diseases. If such a situation is suspected, a bone marrow biopsy should be performed. Genetic tests are also performed on cell samples taken from here. Thus, it can be determined whether the disease originates from the bone marrow or not. The increase in platelets originating from the bone marrow is most commonly seen in the disease known as “essential thrombocythemia”. As you mentioned, the tendency to clot increases due to the increase in platelets. However, in cases of essential thrombocythemia, in cases where the platelet count increases too much, paradoxically, platelet functions may decrease, and then the tendency to bleeding increases. This condition in which platelet functions are reduced is known as “acquired Von Willebrand disease”.
As a result, the increase in platelets in your spouse may be a disease of bone marrow origin. Bleeding also appears to be related to platelet dysfunction. For the differential diagnosis of increased platelet count, bone marrow biopsy and genetic examination are appropriate.
