Tag: Acquired von willebrand syndrome

A common misconception about essential thrombocythemia (ET) is that its elevated platelet count only poses a risk for blood clots. In reality, this blood disorder can also cause paradoxical bleeding, particularly in patients with extremely high platelet levels.

Most people with von Willebrand disease (VWD) actually have a normal platelet count. Despite the common confusion surrounding this inherited bleeding disorder, VWD itself is not a direct cause of high platelets, known medically as thrombocytosis. The relationship between the two conditions is more complex and, in some specific cases, can even be reversed.

While the hereditary form of von Willebrand disease is the most common inherited bleeding disorder, it is a little-known fact that a non-genetic version exists. **Can von Willebrand be acquired** as an adult, often as a side effect of another illness?

Unlike the inherited version, acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS) is not genetic, often linked to an underlying medical condition like an autoimmune or lymphoproliferative disorder. Effectively managing this rare bleeding disorder involves a multi-pronged approach, focusing on controlling symptoms and addressing the root cause. How do you treat acquired von Willebrand syndrome and its associated bleeding risks?