HomeHealth articleshigh platelet countWhat is Thrombocythemia?

Why Does Thrombocythemia Occur?

Verified dataVerified data
0
Why Does Thrombocythemia Occur?

4 min read

Share

Thrombocythemia develops when the bone marrow creates an abnormally large number of platelets. Let us go through it in further depth in the following paragraphs.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Rajesh Gulati

Published At July 15, 2022
Reviewed AtNovember 2, 2022

Introduction:

Thrombocythemia is a condition in which the blood contains an abnormally high number of platelets or thrombocytes. The blood is formed in the bone marrow that produces hematopoietic cells. It is a kind of myeloproliferative disorder. It is also known as essential thrombocythemia or primary thrombocythemia. Essential thrombocythemia is a chronic condition with no known treatment. This condition can cause feeling of tiredness and dizziness, headaches, and vision changes. It also raises the potential for blood clots. Treatment may not be needed in case of a mild illness. If the symptoms are severe, then an antiplatelet drug may be needed, blood thinners, or both. In any given year, less than one in 100,000 persons are diagnosed with ET, with women being the most affected.

What Gives Rise to Thrombocythemia?

  • The main cause of thrombocythemia is the excessive production of platelets by the bone marrow. Inside the bone is a spongy tissue called bone marrow. This tissue consists of hematopoietic cells, which are early progenitor cells that can differentiate into other cell types.

  • In the case of platelets, progenitor cells differentiate into megakaryocytes responsible for the production of platelets. Essential thrombocythemia is a genetic mutation that occurs somewhere along the JANUS KINASE 2 gene, also known as JAK2 or cell signaling pathways.

  • Normally, the kidneys and liver produce a small hormone called thrombopoietin that binds to receptors on hematopoietic cells when it binds to these cells to activate the JAK2 gene to make, divide, and mature into megakaryocytes and platelets. In addition, cells can develop mutations in the thrombopoietin receptor, MPL, or in the protein chaperone, calreticulin or CALR.

  • Now when there is a gene mutation in CALR. The signaling pathway remains active at all times, meaning that platelets continue to be produced even in the absence of thrombopoietin. However, there are lots of platelets being produced. Many of them end up deformed; they are large and irregularly shaped.

  • As a result of excessive proteins, increased platelet counts result in an increased chance of creating blood clots in the deep veins of the legs, lungs, and even areas where clots do not form, such as the abdomen.

  • It is not common for this condition to occur. There is the possibility of inheritance. Thrombocythemia is a genetic disorder.

  • Von Willebrand disease is another cause of bleeding in persons with extremely high platelet counts. This disease has an impact on how blood clots form.

What Are the Symptoms and Indicators of Thrombocythemia?

Symptoms of thrombocythemia may include:

  • Headaches.

  • Tinnitus and loss of vision.

  • Fatigue.

  • Dizziness.

  • A clot in an artery or vein usually develops in the hands, feet, and brain.

  • Bleeding after surgery or injury.

  • Difficulty in concentrating.

  • Chest pain and bone pain.

  • Bloody stools.

  • Heavy periods in women.

  • Numbness of the hands and feet.

  • Erythromelalgia (redness, warmth, and pain in the hands and feet.)

  • Blood clots in arteries and veins, most often in hands, feet, and brain.

  • Bruising or bleeding from the nose, gums, and GI (gastrointestinal) tract.

How to Diagnose Thrombocythemia?

  • CBC (Complete Blood Count): The results of this test determine the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood.

  • Blood Smears: They are viewed through a microscope to determine the number of blood cells in a sample.

  • Bone Marrow Aspiration or Biopsy: This is a test that determines how healthy the bone marrow is.

  • Genetic: This test looks for changes or mutations in genes that control the body's production of platelets.

How Is Thrombocythemia Prevented and Treated?

Treatment is determined by the degree of the symptoms, age, and overall health. In addition, the severity of the condition will determine the treatment. In general, treatment is done to ease symptoms and prevent blood clots. The treatments include the following:

  • Low-Dose Aspirin -This treatment is for people who are at risk of blood clots.

  • Chemotherapy -This treatment is usually given through pills, injections, or combinations of both. The oral chemotherapy medication Hydroxyurea or Anagrelide may be administered in combination with the injection of Interferon Alpha.

  • Plateletpheresis - Through this procedure, platelets are removed from the blood. This procedure is rarely required for this condition.

  • Radioactive Phosphorus (32P) - Radioactive phosphorus is a rarely used treatment where the medication is injected into the veins. As a result of this act, the production of platelets will be brought down to normal levels for a longer period.

If not treated, thrombocythemia can lead to a variety of life-threatening consequences, including:

  • Heart problems.

  • Strokes.

  • Enlarged spleen or spleen dysfunctions.

  • Blood clots.

  • Pregnancy complications in women.

  • Gastrointestinal (GI) problems.

  • It may also lead to cancers.

  • Gout (a kind of arthritis characterized by significant joint pain, redness, and tenderness.).

What Is the Prognosis and How Do To Live With Thrombocythemia?

Patients with essential thrombocythemia have roughly the same life expectancy as the general population. Living with thrombocythemia can be challenging. However, patients can manage it by following a few guidelines to help regulate it.

  • Avoid smoking; it may increase the risk for blood clots.

  • Monitor other health conditions like high cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes.

  • Checkups and blood tests are necessary on a regular basis.

  • Making a few lifestyle modifications to gain control and reduce the difficulties.

  • Keep a record of any new signs and symptoms and notify the doctor.

  • There is a lot of help out there to maintain a better lifestyle.

Conclusion

Conclusively, thrombocythemia is a slowly progressing illness in which the bone marrow generates an abnormally large number of platelets and is not caused by other medical disorders. Also known as essential thrombocythemia. It is often caused by a genetic mutation that can occur at any point in a person's life. Most of the time, it is discovered accidentally during a regular blood test done for another problem. Medication that lowers the platelet count is used for therapy. This is common among older people. A person with ET can live a long and healthy life with excellent health.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.

Is Thrombocythemia Serious?

Thrombocythemia causes increased platelet production, which may lead to the following complications:
- Blood clots in the brain.
- Blood clotting in the heart.
- Myelofibrosis.
- Acute myelogenous leukemia.

2.

How to Treat Thrombocythemia?

The treatment of thrombocythemia depends on the severity of symptoms, patient’s age, and medical history. It includes:
- Chemotherapy - Medications such as Hydroxyurea and Interferon alpha are provided either in pill form or injections.
- Radioactive phosphorus.
- Plateletpheresis.

3.

What Are the Causes of Thrombocythemia?

Various factors may lead to thrombocythemia:
- Bone marrow abnormalities result in excess platelet production.
- Genetic defects.
- Other conditions like anemia or infection may also lead to increased platelet production, termed secondary thrombocytosis.

4.

Is Thrombocythemia Considered Cancer?

Thrombocythemia is characterized by excessive and abnormal platelet production that results in blood clots (thrombus) in the blood vessels. The disease also belongs to the class of blood cancer called myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). The myeloproliferative neoplasm results in abnormal functioning of the bone marrow cells. Therefore, thrombocythemia is considered a type of blood cancer.

5.

How Do Thrombocytosis and Thrombocythemia Differ?

Both thrombocytosis and thrombocythemia refer to platelet disorders. However, they differ as follows:
- Thrombocytosis, also referred to as reactive thrombocytosis, occurs due to underlying medical conditions.
- Thrombocythemia, also known as essential thrombocythemia, occurs due to bone marrow defects and not underlying systemic disorders.
- They both cause increased platelet production.

6.

Does Myelofibrosis Cause Thrombocytosis?

Myelofibrosis causes abnormal functioning of the bone marrow cells that results in decreased production of blood-forming cells such as platelets, red blood cells, etc. Therefore, it may cause the following conditions:
- Anemia (decreased red blood cells).
- Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count).
- Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen).
Therefore myelofibrosis does not cause thrombocytosis (increased platelet production).

7.

What Is Severe Thrombocytopenia?

The decrease in platelet count is considered thrombocytopenia; when the count is less than 50,000 per microliter, the condition is termed severe thrombocytopenia. The affected individuals may have the following risk:
- Blood loss.
- Intracranial hemorrhage.
- Bleeding may also occur within the digestive tract.

8.

What Platelet Count Is Considered Thrombocytopenia?

Thrombocytopenia is a disorder of the blood-forming cells. Every individual has a platelet count of 150,000 to 450,000 per mL of blood. However, the ranges may differ in men and women. When the level falls below 150,000 platelets per mL (microliter), then it is considered thrombocytopenia. It may cause the following symptoms:
- Easy bruising.
- Nosebleeds.
- Fatigue.
- Excessive bleeding from cuts.

9.

Are Thrombocythemia and Myelofibrosis the Same?

Thrombocythemia is considered a myeloproliferative disease, as bone marrow defects lead to decreased platelet production. In addition, the complications of thrombocythemia include:
- Myelofibrosis is a bone marrow neoplasm causing abnormal production of blood-forming cells such as platelets, RBCs (red blood cells), and WBCs (white blood cells).
- Acute myeloid leukemia.
Therefore, thrombocythemia is associated with myelofibrosis.

10.

Can I Acquire Thrombocythemia?

Thrombocythemia is not hereditary, but an individual may acquire it due to genetic changes (mutations). The mutations that occur in JAK2 and CALR genes are responsible for causing essential thrombocythemia. Due to mutations in JAK2 and CALR genes, there is increased production of thrombocytes (platelets), leading to thrombocythemia.

11.

Is Thrombocythemia Termed a Blood Disorder?

Yes, thrombocythemia is considered an uncommon blood disorder. It results in increased platelet (thrombocyte) production causing blood clots. There are various factors involved in causing thrombocythemia; however, the genetic mutations in JAK2 and CALR genes are the most common cause. The individual affected with thrombocythemia may have the following symptoms:
- Fatigue.
- Dizziness.
- Bleeding from the nose.
- Abdominal pain.
- Blood clots in legs, other body organs, etc.
Dr. Rajesh Gulati
Dr. Rajesh Gulati

Family Physician

Tags:

high platelet count
Community Banner Mobile
By subscribing, I agree to iCliniq's Terms & Privacy Policy.

Source Article ArrowMost popular articles

Do you have a question on

high platelet count

Ask a doctor online

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. iCliniq privacy policy