Understanding Essential Thrombocytosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

What is it?

Essential Thrombocytosis is a chronic rare disorder in which there is an overproduction of platelets. It is seen typically in people over age 60, and it is more common in women. The cause for this disorder is unclear, there has been found a gene in most of the people who have the disease. Complications have to do with hyper coagability may include strokes, heart attack, bone marrow problems including leukemia and pregnancy complications.

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Signs & symptoms

People with essential thrombocytosis may not have any symptoms. Symptoms of essential thrombocytopenia may include headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, chest pain, fainting, temporary vision changes, changes in sensation in the extremities, including numbness,tingling, redness and burning. In rare cases essential thrombocytopenia may also cause bleeding from the nose, gums, or gastrointestinal tract.

Diagnosis

Essential Thrombocytosis is diagnosed when there is a platelet count of over 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. Diagnosis includes blood work,and a bone marrow aspiration or biopsy.

Treatment

Treatment for essential thrombocytosis depends on the risk for blood clots or bleeding episodes. People under the age of 60 with no symptoms may only need periodic follow ups. Others may need to take medications such as hydroxyurea- to decrease the chances for developing leukemia, anagrelide and interferon alfa. In case of a medical emergency, plateletpheresis may be done.

☝️ This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision.

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Source of Information - We analyze big data of more than 23 million patients de-identified medical records from the following sources:

National Institution of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ University of Illinois hospital