Ordering Guidance

This test is designed to evaluate a variety of hereditary thrombocytopenia disorders and to be utilized for genetic confirmation of a phenotypic diagnosis of a thrombocytopenia disorder.

If testing for hereditary platelet disorders using a larger, comprehensive panel is desired, a 70-gene platelet panel is available; order GNPLT / Platelet Disorders, Comprehensive Gene Panel, Next-Generation Sequencing, Varies.

This test is not designed to evaluate for hereditary bleeding disorders. For patients with clinical suspicion of an inherited bleeding disorder, it is important to exclude plasmatic factor deficiencies eg, von Willebrand disease, hemophilia, or other factor deficiencies, prior to considering an inherited platelet function defect. If bleeding is the indication for testing and testing for hereditary bleeding disorders is desired, bleeding panels are available. For more information see GNBLF / Bleeding Disorders, Focused Gene Panel, Next-Generation Sequencing, Varies or GNBLC / Bleeding Disorders, Comprehensive Gene Panel, Next-Generation Sequencing, Varies.

For assessment of hereditary platelet disorders that have ultrastructural abnormalities, such as gray platelet syndrome, order PTEM / Platelet Transmission Electron Microscopic Study, Whole Blood.

For assessment of hereditary platelet disorders due to quantitative surface glycoprotein deficiencies, order PLAFL / Platelet Glycoprotein Flow Platelet Surface Glycoprotein by Flow Cytometry, Blood.

Customization of this panel and single gene analysis for any gene present on this panel are available. For more information see CGPH / Custom Gene Panel, Hereditary, Next-Generation Sequencing, Varies.

Targeted testing for familial variants (also called site-specific or known mutations testing) is available for the genes on this panel. See FMTT / Familial Variant, Targeted Testing, Varies. To obtain more information about this testing option, call 800-533-1710.

Shipping Instructions

Specimen preferred to arrive within 96 hours of collection.

Necessary Information

Platelet Esoteric Testing Patient Information is required. Testing may proceed without the patient information; however, the information aids in providing a more thorough interpretation. Ordering providers are strongly encouraged to fill out the form and send with the specimen.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation: A previous bone marrow transplant from an allogenic donor will interfere with testing. Call 800-533-1710 for instructions for testing patients who have received a bone marrow transplant.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Specimen Type: Whole blood

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Lavender top (EDTA)

Acceptable: Yellow top (ACD)

Specimen Volume: 3 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Invert several times to mix blood.

2. Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.

Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred)/Refrigerated

Specimen Type: Skin biopsy

Supplies: Fibroblast Biopsy Transport Media (T115)

Container/Tube: Sterile container with any standard cell culture media (eg, minimal essential media, RPMI 1640). The solution should be supplemented with 1% penicillin and streptomycin.

Specimen Volume: 4-mm punch

Specimen Stability Information: Refrigerated (preferred)/Ambient

Additional Information: A separate culture charge will be assessed under CULFB / Fibroblast Culture for Biochemical or Molecular Testing. An additional 3 to 4 weeks is required to culture fibroblasts before genetic testing can occur.

Specimen Type: Cultured fibroblasts

Container/Tube: T-25 flask

Specimen Volume: 2 Flasks

Collection Instructions: Submit confluent cultured fibroblast cells from a skin biopsy from another laboratory. Cultured cells from a prenatal specimen will not be accepted.

Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred)/Refrigerated (<24 hours)

Additional Information: A separate culture charge will be assessed under CULFB / Fibroblast Culture for Biochemical or Molecular Testing. An additional 3 to 4 weeks is required to culture fibroblasts before genetic testing can occur.