Blood Disorders | UC Davis Health

Blood Disorders

Our blood disorder specialists at the Hemostasis and Thrombosis Center expertly diagnose and manage blood disorders, from common to complex.

Medically reviewed by Brian Jonas, M.D. on Oct. 12, 2023.

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Advanced Care for Blood Disorders

Specialists at the UC Davis Health Hemostasis and Thrombosis Center provide advanced care for people living with all types of blood disorders (also called hematologic disorders).

“Heme” is the Greek word for blood. Hemostasis refers to the natural actions your body takes to manage bleeding after an injury. Thrombosis is the medical term for blood clots that form inside your blood vessels.

We treat all types of bleeding disorders, clotting disorders and other blood (hematologic) disorders.

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Our Difference

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Decades of Experience

We are one of the country’s first federally funded hemostasis and thrombosis centers. Our standing means we have decades of experience managing blood disorders. Our team has the expertise to help you lead a full life.

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Complete Care for All Ages

We treat children and adults with common and rare blood disorders. We offer medical, psychosocial and educational resources for you and your loved ones.

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Advanced On-Site Lab Tests

Specialists at our center’s on-site blood laboratory conduct advanced diagnostic testing. This specialized testing is rarely available at other centers or even outside blood labs. We expertly diagnose blood disorders to start proper treatment. 

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What Are Blood Disorders?

Blood disorders happen when one or more elements that make up your blood don’t work as they should. There are different types of blood disorders. Some conditions affect the solid parts of blood, such as red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Blood disorders can also affect plasma, the liquid part of blood.

Types of Blood (Hematologic) Disorders

Anemia

Anemia occurs when your body doesn’t make enough healthy red blood cells. Your red blood cells carry oxygen. There are different types and causes of anemia.

Learn about anemia
Bleeding Disorders

Bleeding disorders like hemophilia occur when your blood doesn’t clot as it should. You may lose too much blood with even a minor cut or injury. We treat all types of bleeding disorders, including thrombocytopenia, platelet function disorders, von Willebrand disease and other clotting factor deficiencies. Our Hemophilia Treatment Center is one of a select few centers of its kind in California.

Read about bleeding disorders
Blood Cancers

Blood cancers start in your bone marrow, which makes blood cells. Our blood disorder and cancer specialists treat all types of blood cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

Learn about blood cancers we treat
Blood Clotting Disorders

Clotting disorders (thrombophilia) cause your blood to clot more than it should. Blood clots can travel through blood vessels, putting you at risk for strokes, heart attacks and pulmonary embolisms (blood clots in your lungs).

Find out more about clotting disorders
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Causes of Blood (Hematologic) Disorders

There are numerous causes of blood disorders. Some blood disorders occur for no known reason.

Causes of blood disorders include:

Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases may cause certain types of autoimmune blood disorders.

Gene Changes

Inherited blood disorders occur when a parent passes on a gene change or mutation. Certain types of hemophilia are inherited.

Viruses

Viral infections (viruses) cause viral hemorrhagic fevers. These rare group of diseases can cause excessive bleeding (hemorrhaging) and heart damage.

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Awards and Recognitions
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Ranked among the nation’s best hospitals

A U.S. News & World Report best hospital in cancer, cardiology, heart & vascular surgery, diabetes & endocrinology, ENT, geriatrics, neurology & neurosurgery, orthopedics, and pulmonology & lung surgery.

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Ranked among the nation’s best children’s hospitals

U.S. News & World Report ranked UC Davis Children’s Hospital among the best in neonatology, nephrology, orthopedics*, pediatric & adolescent behavioral health, and pulmonology & lung surgery. (*Together with Shriners Children’s Northern California)

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Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital

Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital by U.S. News, and high-performing in back surgery, COPD, colon cancer surgery, gynecological cancer surgery, heart attack, heart failure, hip fracture, kidney failure, leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma, lung cancer surgery, pneumonia, prostate cancer surgery, stroke, TAVR, and gastroenterology & GI surgery.

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The nation’s highest nursing honor

UC Davis Medical Center has received Magnet® recognition, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence.

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World-class cancer care

One of ~56 U.S. cancer centers designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute.

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A leader in health care equality

For the 13th consecutive year, UC Davis Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization.

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