What do the results mean?
If your results show a lower than normal platelet count (thrombocytopenia), it may indicate:
A cancer that affects the blood, such as leukemia or lymphoma
A viral infection, such as mononucleosis, hepatitis, or measles
An autoimmune disease. This is a disorder that causes the body to attack its own healthy tissues, which can include platelets.
Infection or damage to the bone marrow
Cirrhosis
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Gestational thrombocytopenia, a common, but mild, low-platelet condition affecting pregnant women. It is not known to cause any harm to a mother or her unborn baby. It usually gets better on its own during pregnancy or after birth.
If your results show a higher than normal platelet count (thrombocytosis), it may indicate:
Certain types of cancer, such as lung cancer or breast cancer
Anemia
Inflammatory bowel disease
Rheumatoid arthritis
A viral or bacterial infection
If your platelet function test results were not normal, it may mean you have an inherited or acquired platelet disorder.  Inherited disorders are passed down from your family. The conditions are present at birth, but you may not have symptoms until you are older. Acquired disorders are not present at birth. They may be caused by other diseases, medicines, or exposure in the environment. Sometimes the cause is unknown.
Inherited platelet disorders include:
Von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that reduces the production of platelets or causes the platelets to work less effectively. It can cause excess bleeding.
Glanzmann's thrombasthenia, a disorder that affects platelets' ability to clump together
Bernard-Soulier syndrome, another disorder that affects platelets' ability to clump together
Storage pool disease, a condition that affects platelets' ability to release substances that help platelets clump together
Acquired platelet disorders may be due to chronic diseases such as:
Kidney failure
Certain types of leukemia
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a disease of the bone marrow
