Dictionary

thrombocythemia: A stem cell disease that results in overproduction of blood platelets. Platelets are important in the blood clotting process.

thrombocytopenia: The presence of fairly few blood platelets in the blood. This is usually the result of one of several diseases, including leukemia, liver failure or even a vitamin B12 deficiency.

thrombophilia: An inherited blood clotting disorder, which comes from the Factor V Leiden mutation. People with this mutation can form abnormal blood clots in their blood vessels. Most people with the Factor V Leiden mutation do not actually develop the abnormal blood clots.

von Willebrand Disease: This blood clotting disorder was named for the Finnish physician who discovered a new form of bleeding disorder among Swedish and Finnish people. The von Willebrand Factor is a protein that is important to the beginning stage of blood clotting. This protein interacts with blood platelets to form a plug that prevents blood from flowing freely. People with this disorder can not make this plug to stop bleeding when injured.