Thrombocytes (clotting cells) or blood platelets are the name given to the cells involved in blood clot formation. While low platelet counts or dysfunctions increase the susceptibility to bleeding, high platelet counts increase the risk of thrombosis (blood clot in the vein).
What is thrombocytosis?
Thrombocytosis, platelets in the blood. is the high number. Thrombocytes are clotting cells found in the plasma, and they stop bleeding by sticking together to form a clot during bleeding. High platelet count may cause stroke, heart attack, or form a clot in the vein leading to any organ.
Thrombocytosis is divided into two:
Primary
Secondary
1. Primary thrombocytosis: Also called essential thrombocythemia. It is an increase in the number of platelets as a result of excessive production in the bone marrow. The reason is unknown. It has been shown that certain gene mutations in the blood or bone marrow can cause this condition. However, these mutations are not hereditary, that is, passed down from the family, they are mutations acquired at some point in life.
2. Secondary thrombocytosis:There is another underlying cause. Thrombocytosis will not improve unless this cause is corrected. Main causes:
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Anemia due to iron deficiency
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Cancer
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Infection or non-infectious inflammatory condition
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Surgery, especially splenectomy (removal of the spleen)
What is the natural course of thrombocytosis? ?
If thrombocytosis is due to an underlying cause, that is, secondary thrombocytosis, the platelet count returns to normal when that cause is corrected. For example, if the platelet count is found to be high due to an infection, the platelet count usually returns to normal when the infection is treated with appropriate antibiotics or antimicrobials. If there was an increase after the surgery, it will return to normal within a certain period of time after the surgery. Since the platelet count usually increases for a short time, secondary thrombocytosis does not cause abnormal blood clotting.
In case of primary thrombocytosis or essential thrombocythemia, clotting complications and Serious bleeding may occur. This condition can usually be prevented by keeping the platelet count well controlled with medications. However, bone marrow fibrosis (scarring) may develop years later. Transformation to leukemia may occur in a small percentage of patients.
What are the symptoms of thrombocytosis?
Most patients do not have any symptoms. The most common signs and symptoms are; It is bleeding from various areas such as the nose, mouth and gums or the stomach and intestinal system. Abnormal blood clotting can also lead to stroke, heart attack, and unusual clots in the abdominal blood vessels. Some patients with essential thrombocythemia may experience redness, pain, swelling, numbness, and tingling in the hands and feet. This condition is called erythromelalgia.
How is thrombocytosis diagnosed?
Finding the underlying condition (such as iron deficiency anemia, cancer or infection) helps in the diagnosis and treatment of thrombocytosis. might help. If a secondary cause is not identified, the patient should be examined for essential thrombocythemia.
A blood test to determine whether there is a mutation in the gene called JAK2 can help diagnose essential thrombocythemia. However, it is positive in only about 50% of cases. Other gene mutations are also tested, but these are positive only in a low percentage of patients. To confirm the diagnosis, bone marrow aspiration and biopsy should be performed and the sample taken should be examined in this direction.
How is thrombocytosis treated?
Patients without symptoms may remain stable and only It may be sufficient to have it checked by your doctor at regular intervals. Secondary forms of thrombocytosis rarely require treatment.
Several treatment options are available for patients with signs and symptoms. One is to treat the disease that causes thrombocytosis. In some cases, the patient may take aspirin to help prevent blood clots. Low-dose aspirin used for this purpose usually does not cause stomach upset or bleeding.
In essential thrombocythemia, medications are used to suppress platelet production by the bone marrow. These medications usually must be taken continuously. Interferon is another treatment option, but is associated with more side effects.
Overproduction of platelets New drugs are being developed to suppress it. Again, in severe cases of life-threatening thrombocytosis, a procedure called thrombocytapheresis is performed to reduce the platelet count to safer levels. A device similar to a dialysis device is used for this process. The patient's blood is taken from one arm, the platelets in it are separated, and simultaneously the rest of the blood is given back to the patient from the other arm. By removing platelets in this way, the number of platelets is reduced.
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