Glanzmann Thrombasthenia (GT)

Glanzmann Thrombasthenia (GT)


Glanzmann Thrombasthenia (GT) is a rare, lifelong genetic bleeding disorder. People with GT lack a specific protein on the surface of their platelets — a critical component for proper blood clotting. As a result, they experience challenges with prolonged or spontaneous bleeding.


🩸 Who is affected?

GT is extremely rare, occurring in about one in a million people worldwide, though it’s more common in communities where marriage within families is prevalent. It affects males and females equally and symptoms typically appear early in life.

GT is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, meaning both parents must be carriers of the defective gene (often unknowingly) for their child to be affected.


🔍 Signs & Symptoms

Symptoms and severity vary from person to person. Common symptoms include:

  • Frequent or severe nosebleeds
  • Easy bruising
  • Heavy or prolonged menstrual periods
  • Bleeding from the mouth and gums
  • Bleeding after surgery, injury, or dental work
  • In rare cases, life-threatening internal bleeding

Importantly, platelet count is normal, but platelet function is impaired — meaning the platelets cannot stick together properly to form clots.


🧬 Diagnosis

Diagnosis of GT is often made during early childhood due to unusual or prolonged bleeding. It involves:

  • Detailed family and medical history
  • Blood tests to assess platelet function
  • Genetic testing to confirm mutations in the ITGA2B or ITGB3 genes

🩺 Treatment

There is no cure for GT, but bleeding episodes can be managed through:

  • Antifibrinolytics (e.g. aminocaproic acid or tranexamic acid)
  • Platelet transfusions for serious bleeding or surgery (with careful monitoring for antibodies)
  • Recombinant Factor VIIa (NovoSeven®) when platelet transfusions are not effective or available

Preventive care is also important, including good dental hygiene, iron supplements if needed, and avoiding medications that affect platelet function, such as aspirin.


🧠 Living with GT

With proper management and awareness, individuals with GT can lead fulfilling lives. Children and adults with GT often face emotional and physical challenges due to frequent bleeding episodes and the need for emergency care or hospitalization.

Women and girls with GT may experience especially severe symptoms, including heavy menstrual bleeding and complications during childbirth.


💚 Glanzmann’s Research Foundation

The Glanzmann’s Research Foundation (GRF) is a USA-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting patients and families affected by GT. Their work includes:

  • Funding research for better treatments and a cure
  • Sharing patient and family stories through Faces of GT
  • Providing educational resources and scholarship opportunities
  • Connecting patients and caregivers to a wider community

About the Hemophilia Society
The Hemophilia Society is a national charity committed to supporting individuals and families affected by bleeding disorders, including hemophilia and von Willebrand disease. The organization offers reliable information, practical support, and a strong community network to help people manage their conditions with confidence. Through education, advocacy, and collaboration with healthcare professionals, the Hemophilia Society works to improve access to treatment, raise awareness, and promote ongoing research. Its mission is to ensure that no one living with a bleeding disorder feels isolated or unsupported.

Rare Disease Groups & Organisations

Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) is a rare disorder of blood platelets.

GT is a very bleeding disorder caused by blood cells called platelets not working correctly. It is because of an abnormality in the glycoproteins IIb/IIIa genes. The glycoprotein IIb/IIIa genes are carried on chromosome 17 of your DNA. People with GT have enough platelets but they cannot bind to a protein called fibrinogen, which normally holds them together in a clumping process. Because they cannot stick together, they cannot form a stable clot to stop bleeding.

Men and women are equally affected by this condition. It is a recessive inherited disorder, meaning you must inherit a gene fault from both parents. Symptoms vary in severity, but most people can experience bleeding symptoms with little or no injury.

Treatment options are limited for GT, but they include tranexamic acid, intravenous factor VIIa (seven) replacement therapy and fibrin sealants.

More information from www.haemophilia.org.uk


📣 Share Your Story

If you or someone you know lives with GT, we encourage you to reach out and share your story. Raising awareness is crucial — not just for emotional support, but also to ensure people receive the care they need. When you are seen, you can be supported.

📩 Contact the Glanzmann’s Research Foundation at info@curegt.org

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