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Thrombocythemia is a myeloproliferative disorder where platelets are overproduced, increasing the risk of blood clots and strokes. Symptoms can vary, and treatment depends on the type of thrombocythemia. Reactive forms may be treated by addressing the underlying condition, while essential thrombocytosis may require chemotherapy or platepheresis. Medical follow-up is necessary as the disease can worsen even when asymptomatic.
In rare cases, a major component of blood is produced in a larger volume than normal. This can happen with platelets, red blood cells, or white blood cells and is called a myeloproliferative disorder. When platelets, the cells that help blood clot, are overproduced, the condition may be known as thrombocythemia or essential or reactive thrombocytosis. This can be a dangerous condition that greatly increases the risk of complications such as blood clots and strokes, although the severity of the expression and the risk can vary in individuals.
The symptoms of thrombocythemia can be very varied, and people may have many symptoms or none at all. If expression of the disease is present, it could include both a tendency to form blood clots and a tendency to bleed profusely or hemorrhage because platelets are not functioning normally. Other potential symptoms of the disease include bruising, a tendency for stools to look bloody, low energy or fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. However, for some people the only symptom would be evidence of a higher platelet count in a blood test.
The two types of thrombocythemia can change the way the condition is treated. In reactive forms of the disease there is another factor than the cause, which can be addressed by a variety of medical means. The fact that this form is called reactive is highly indicative of what happens. The body is reacting to another disease or condition by making too many platelets.
Such underlying conditions could include diseases that have chronic inflammation as symptoms, such as some autoimmune disorders. Other times spleen dysfunction or a lack of a spleen can result in thrombocythemia. Some people develop this disease after undergoing surgery. Sometimes, the best way to deal with reactive thrombocythemia is to cure or treat the underlying condition that’s causing it, although this isn’t always possible. Things like inflammatory diseases could be addressed through treatment, helping resolve high platelet counts, but a missing spleen cannot be.
When treating essential thrombocytosis, treatment may depend on several factors. First, if people are showing no symptoms, the initial course of treatment might be to watch and wait to see if the condition gets worse. People might take aspirin during this time to prevent platelets from clotting. If symptoms are already present and create risks, a number of things could be recommended.
Chemotherapy is sometimes suggested, as it reduces the platelet count. Another possible course is to remove platelets from the body. This is a treatment known as platepheresis, which is normally used so that people can donate platelets. For thrombocythemia, the aim is to remove excess platelets from the blood to avoid expression of the disease. It may be necessary to repeat the procedure. Some medications can also be used to help reduce platelet production in the future.
In all cases, thrombocytosis is a potentially risky disease that requires constant medical follow-up. Even when people are asymptomatic, the disease can get worse, putting the life of the affected person at risk. Both forms of the condition are fortunately rare.
