About ITP

About Platelets

This is what platelets look like. For some of us , it is the closest we are going to get to seeing them. Study their shape. Meditate on their line. Perhaps it will help.

All blood cells originate and mature in the bone marrow. They begin in 'stem' cells, then differentiate into the red cells, white cells, and platelets. The white blood cells include three varieties, granulocytes, monocytes (macrophages) and lymphocytes.

Normal platelet counts range from 150,000 to 400,000 per cu/ml. Those with ITP have a lower platelet count. It can range from severe cases that hover close to zero to more mild cases where the counts stay in closer to 100,000. 30,000 is often considered a ‘safe count,' one that is high enough to protect against cerebral hemorrhage.

In people with ITP the platelets are often enlarged. They stay in the blood stream from a few hours to close to the normal eight to ten days depending on the severity of the disease.

Platelets play a crucial part in the blood clotting process by forming a platelet plug. This is a two step process. First, single platelets bind to the site of the wound (adhesion). Next, the platelets bind to each other (activation). Activation can be stimulated by components released when the blood vessel is damaged and by thrombin, released during the blood clotting process. When platelets become activated they change. They release agents which recruit and activate the surrounding platelets. The result of these two processes is the formation of fibrin which stabilizes the platelet plug, stops bleeding and allows injuries to heal.

In your body, 2% of the serotonin, a mood elevating neurotransmitter, is stored in platelets. In addition to serotonin, your platelets also carry its 'parent' or precursory chemical L-tryptophan. While serotonin can't pass through the blood brain barrier, L-tryptophan can. These substances are involved in such processes as sleep/wake cycles, biological rhythms, appetite, mood regulation, etc.