When the tests are normal, but there is bleeding
Von Willebrand disease is the most common inherited disorder of hemostasis, occurring in approximately one percent of the population but rarely diagnosed. The symptoms are mild and familiar: heavy and prolonged menstruation, frequent nosebleeds, a tendency to bruise, prolonged bleeding after tooth extraction and cuts. In this case, a standard coagulogram is often normal, since the disorder concerns the interaction of platelets with the vessel wall, and not the coagulation cascade. Von Willebrand factor testing is indicated for unexplained bleeding, especially in women with heavy menstruation leading to anemia, and before surgery in such patients. The diagnosis fundamentally changes preparation for surgery and childbirth.
How to prepare to donate blood
- on an empty stomach 8–12 hours, you can drink water
- Eliminate alcohol and intense exercise per day
- no smoking in an hour
- donate blood before physiotherapy, x-rays and massage
- Take medications in advance by agreeing with your doctor
How to read the result
Reference values depend on the method and equipment of the laboratory, so it is correct to compare results only within the same laboratory. A deviation of a few percent from the normal limit in itself rarely matters - the overall picture and dynamics are important.
The analysis must be interpreted by a doctor: an isolated indicator without a clinical context is often misleading and leads to unnecessary examinations.