High platelets (essential thrombocythaemia) Mate toto-kōpiapia teitei
Essential thrombocythaemia is a rare condition that causes high levels of platelets. Platelets are a part of your blood that helps with clotting (stopping bleeding).
Cause of essential thrombocythaemia
The cause of essential thrombocythaemia is not known. It could be related to mutations in the gene that controls platelet production in the bone marrow. Sometimes a faulty gene runs in families.
Symptoms of essential thrombocythaemia
Most people with essential thrombocythaemia have no symptoms. It is often diagnosed when you have a blood test for something else. One of the first symptoms may be the development of a blood clot (thrombus).
You may have:
- weakness
- dizziness or fainting
- tiredness
- an enlarged spleen
- tingling in your hands and feet
- chest pain.
Sometimes you may have signs of more bleeding, such as:
- bruising easily
- nosebleeds
- bloody poos
- bleeding in your stomach or bowels.
Complications of essential thrombocythaemia
You may have a higher risk of blood clots if you have essential thrombocythaemia. Blood clots can lead to:
- a clot in the leg (deep vein thrombosis)
- a clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
- stroke
- heart attack
- loss of blood supply to a toe or finger.
After many years, you may develop other blood problems, such as:
- anaemia
- scarring of your bone marrow (a condition called myelofibrosis)
- leukaemia.
If you have essential thrombocythaemia and become pregnant there is a risk of getting blood clots or other complications. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are planning to get pregnant. They may refer you to a specialist.
Diagnosing essential thrombocythaemia
Essential thrombocythaemia is diagnosed with a blood test to check the number of platelets in your blood. If you have too many platelets, you may have more blood tests to check for genetic causes of essential thrombocythaemia.
Treating essential thrombocythaemia
Essential thrombocythaemia is usually treated with low-dose aspirin every day to reduce the risk of blood clots. You may need more treatment with medication if you have a higher risk of getting blood clots.
If you are having planned surgery, you may need to stop some medications. Discuss this with your surgical team before your surgery.
Self care for essential thrombocythaemia
If you have essential thrombocythaemia there are things you can do to reduce the risk of getting blood clots, including:
- keeping physically active
- avoiding sitting for long periods without getting up and moving
- not smoking
- drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration — you are more likely to get a blood clot if you are dehydrated.