Giant platelets are those which are approx 7 - 10 times normal size. They do not function very well, so if there are large numbers of them in the blood, you could bruise and bleed more easily. I would ask if they were present in small or large quantities. If there are only a small number, then that is no big deal. If there are lots of them, be careful about cuts. Folks with CML can have some giant platelets, especially at diagnosis, but should go away over time. If platelets are out of whack, this is probably associated with that general issue. Increasing the dosage of Gleevec can change the platelet counts; for some they decrease and in others they can increase.
Platelets are not formed directly, but rather they start out as huge cells called megakaryocytes (meaning "huge cell"). These megakaryocytes are then "crushed" in the bloodstream and lungs to form approx 1000 fragments, which are the platelets. By the way, that is why many of us had an unexplained cough prior to CML diagnosis, because coughing breaks up megakaryocytes in the lungs faster, and also the megakaryocyte nucleus is disposed of in the lungs after being crushed into platelets. Platelets form sticky edges when there is a wound, and clump together to stop the blood flow at the wound site. The body then repairs the site and removes/discards the dried platelets (scab). http://www.chelationtherapyonline.com/GarryGordon/KarlLorenResearch/p32.html --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ [CMLHope] A support group of http://cmlhope.com ------------------------------------------------- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "CMLHope" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/CMLHope -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
