Thrombocythemia is a blood disorder in which the body produces a surplus of platelets (thrombocytes) and it is called a myeloproliferative blood disorder. Platelets are blood cells that stick together, helping blood to clot.
It is classified as one of two types. Secondary Thrombocythemia can be traced to another cause, such as inflammation, severe bleeding, iron deficiency, or some cancers. Primary Thrombocythemia (or essential thrombocythemia) is a single disease entity, with unique clinical characteristics.
Too many platelets make normal clotting of blood difficult. There is no known cause for thrombocythemia and the most common symptoms are,
increased blood clots in arteries and veins
bleeding
bruising easily
bleeding from the nose, gums, gastrointestinal tract
bloody stools
hemorrhaging after injury or surgery
weakness
enlarged lymph nodes
Secondary Thrombocythemia may develop as a result of:
acute hemorrhage or infection
anemia
arthritis and other chronic inflammations
cancer
exercise
iron deficiency
medication
osteoporosis
removal of the spleen (splenectomy)
polycythemia vera (a disorder affecting other red blood cells, as well as platelets)
stress
surgery
Causes and symptoms
The cause of essential Thrombocythemia is unknown.
Symptoms
Two of every three patients who have Thrombocythemia do not have any symptoms of the disease at the time of diagnosis. Younger patients may remain symptom-free for years. Enlargement of the spleen is detected in 60% of patients with Thrombocythemia. The liver may also be
enlarged. As many as half of all patients experience bleeding from the skin, gums, or nose; and 20–50% have some blockage of veins or arteries.
Other symptoms of Thrombocythemia include:
bloody stools
bruising
dizziness
headache
hemorrhage
prolonged bleeding after having surgery or after having a tooth pulled
redness or tingling of the hands and feet
weakness. In rare instances, the lymph nodes become enlarged
The highest platelet counts usually produce the most severe symptoms. Younger patients (especially women) may not have symptoms, even though their platelet counts are very high.
Complications
Complications of Thrombocythemia include stroke, heart attack, and formation of blood clots in the arms
and legs.
A doctor should be notified whenever bleeding is unexplained or prolonged or the patient develops:
- chest or leg pain
- confusion
- numbness
- weakness
Diagnosis
The patient’s symptoms suggest the presence of Thrombocythemia. Blood tests confirm the diagnosis. Bone marrow aspiration (removal of a tissue sample for microscopic examination) may also be performed.
Treatment
The key to treating secondary Thrombocythemia is treating the underlying condition.
Any patient who has Thrombocythemia should be encouraged not to smoke.
In young people who have no symptoms, this condition can remain stable for many years. These patients should be monitored by a physician, but may not require treatment.
Treatment for patients who do have symptoms focuses on controlling bleeding, preventing the formation of blood clots, and lowering platelet levels. Treatment for secondary Thrombocythemia involves treating the condition or disease responsible for excess platelet production.
Low doses of aspirin may prevent clotting, but can cause serious hemorrhages.
If drug therapy does not bring platelet counts down to an acceptable level as rapidly as necessary, plateletpheresis
may be performed. Usually combined with drug therapy and used primarily in medical emergencies, this procedure consists of:
- withdrawing blood from the patient’s body
- removing platelets from the blood
- returning the platelet-depleted blood to the patient
Blood Zone 
