Thrombocytosis : Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Prevention

Thrombocytosis is a condition in the form of an abnormality in the high number of platelets produced by the body. In adults, the normal platelet limit is 150-450 x 109 / L or 150,000-450,000 platelets per microliter of blood, while a person with thrombocytosis can have a platelet count of up to 600 x 109 / L or more.

Thrombocytosis is one of the main causes of blood clotting conditions. This condition can also be triggered by other diseases that have been previously owned so that the initial examination can also determine what type of thrombocytosis is experienced.

Thrombocytosis Symptoms

Symptoms of secondary thrombocytosis generally include headache, dizziness, fatigue, chest pain, fainting, tingling in the hands and feet, or temporary visual disturbances. It is not uncommon for secondary thrombocytosis to not even show symptoms at all.

Symptoms of secondary thrombocytosis are generally associated with symptoms of the trigger condition so that routine blood tests or other examinations will be needed to determine the diagnosis of secondary thrombocytosis.

Primary thrombocytosis is generally slightly more common in women and people over 50 years of age, although it can also occur in people with younger age. Other symptoms of this condition are not much different from secondary thrombocytosis with the addition of symptoms:

• Redness, burning pain, and throbbing in the area of the hands and feet.
• Temporary loss of visual function.
• Enlargement of the spleen
• Bleeding that occurs can be a nosebleed, bleeding gums, bruising on the skin, and blood impurities.

Blood clots can be experienced by people in the area of the hands and feet, and the brain so that it can cause strokes or transient ischemic attacks (TIA).

Causes of Thrombocytosis

Thrombocytosis can be caused by infection, bone and bone marrow disorders, or other conditions. Some types of thrombocytosis, including:

• Thrombocytosis or secondary thrombocythemia or reactive thrombocytosis. This thrombocytosis is generally caused by an infection or another disease that already exists or is being suffered.
• Primary thrombocytosis or essential thrombocytosis. This thrombocytosis is caused by a disruption in the bone marrow. This condition is more often the cause of blood clots. The exact cause of the disorder in the bone marrow is unknown.

Secondary thrombocytosis is an overreaction to the condition experienced by the body and can be caused by several other conditions, such as allergic reactions, heart attacks, physical exercise, infections (such as tuberculosis), iron deficiency, vitamin deficiencies, and cancer.

This excess reaction triggers the release of cytokines which causes increased platelet production. Several other causes, including several classes of drugs, such as:

• Blood loss or severe acute bleeding.
• Acute kidney failure or other kidney organ disorders.
• Surgery to treat coronary heart disease.
• Surgical removal of the spleen.
• Inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis conditions, connective tissue disorders, intestinal inflammation, or celiac disease.
• Burns
• A big operation that just happened.
• Pancreatitis
• Trauma
• Hemolytic anemia.
• Medications such as epinephrine, heparin sodium, tretinoin, and vincristine sulfate.

Bone marrow contains stem cells that can develop into red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets. Primary thrombocytosis is caused by a large number of platelets produced by the bone marrow into the blood. Excess platelet counts in primary thrombocytosis cannot function normally, eventually increasing the risk of blood clots or bleeding. In addition to disorders of the bone marrow, primary thrombocytosis can also be caused by chronic myelogenous leukemia, myelofibrosis, and polycythemia vera. Genetic factors of parents or family members who have this condition also play a role.

Treatment of Thrombocytosis

Secondary thrombocytosis rarely requires special treatment or procedures to reduce platelet counts. The aim of treating secondary thrombocytosis is to overcome the initial conditions that trigger thrombocytosis. Generally, the platelet count will return to normal levels after the initial underlying condition is resolved. For example, if thrombocytosis is caused by inflammation, the platelet count can go down to normal after the inflammation has been treated.

In the case of secondary thrombocytosis triggered by the removal of the spleen, the person may experience lifetime thrombocytosis, but it is less likely that the person needs medication. Primary thrombocytosis is included in a chronic condition (long-term illness) and there is no cure. Treatment in cases of mild primary thrombocytosis can be treated without medication. But in severe conditions can be given platelet-reducing drugs, blood thinners, or both.

Medications for thrombocytosis can be accompanied by low doses of aspirin to reduce the risk of clots and an increase in platelet counts. Some of these drugs, including:

• Medicines from this group function to suppress blood cell production, including platelets, in the bone marrow. The doctor will monitor the number of blood cells and liver function during this period. These drugs have side effects that tend to be low and long-term use is not recommended because of the risk of triggering myelogenous leukemia.
• Drugs from this group are not associated with an increased risk of leukemia but are also considered less effective to use. This drug has side effects of dizziness, headache, nausea, diarrhea, and heart problems.
• Interferon-alpha or pegylated interferon-alpha 2a. Drugs from this group are given by injection and are the best choice in some cases. This drug has more serious side effects than the two drugs above, such as nausea, diarrhea, seizures, flu-like symptoms, and depression.

An emergency procedure may be used to treat post-danger conditions due to blood clots due to primary thrombocytosis, namely plateletpheresis. For example in people who have had a stroke or acute bleeding.

When a stroke occurs, a needle will be connected to the tube to drain the blood of the sufferer to a device that will separate platelets from the blood. After that blood flows back into the body. This procedure temporarily decreases platelet count. In people with primary thrombocytosis, especially those who are pregnant, taking regular low-dose aspirin may be recommended by a doctor.

Complications of Thrombocytosis

Serious complications that can arise from thrombocytosis are:

• Blood clots. Blood clots that form in blood vessels can cause blockage of blood vessels, blockage of veins in the limbs can cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT), blockages in blood vessels of the brain cause strokes, blockages in heart arteries can lead to heart attacks, and blockages in vessels Lung blood can cause a pulmonary embolism. While the blockage of small blood vessels can disrupt the function of the eyes, brain, and skin
• Excessive bleeding. Although an increase in platelet counts should increase blood clotting, platelet counts that are too high in the blood can also cause bleeding due to the disruption of the blood clotting system.

Prevention of Thrombocytosis

Lifestyle changes play a role in reducing the risk of developing conditions that can contribute to thrombocytosis. Take preventative steps that can be taken including:

• Start a healthy diet and eat in portions according to your body's needs.
• Maintain a normal body weight to avoid the risk of raising blood pressure due to obesity.
• Quit smoking.
• Perform physical activity in the middle level for at least 30 minutes every day.

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