Blood coagulation is an extremely important thing that ensures the recovery of the body after injuries. This function is provided by special blood cells - platelets. When there are too few platelets in the blood, this is certainly very bad, because then there is a risk of bleeding even from a relatively small wound. However, the opposite case, when the platelet level is too high, does not bode well, because this can lead to the formation of blood clots. An increased number of platelets in the blood is called thrombocytosis.

What can cause platelet levels to rise?

If we talk about a disease such as thrombocytosis, the causes of its occurrence directly depend on the type of disease. Two varieties of this disease should be distinguished: primary and reactive. In the first case, the work of stem cells located in the bone marrow is disrupted. As a rule, primary thrombocytosis in children and adolescents is not diagnosed: this form is more common in older people - from 60 and above.

Reactive (secondary) thrombocytosis develops against the background of any diseases. The most common among them:

• Infectious diseases, both acute and chronic.
• Severe bleeding.
• Iron deficiency in the body (iron deficiency anemia). This reason is especially characteristic if there are too many platelets in the blood of a child.
• Cirrhosis of the liver.
• Malignant tumors (especially neoplasms in the lungs or pancreas).
• Osteomyelitis.
• Inflammatory processes in the body.

In addition to the above reasons, the secondary form of the disease can occur as a response to taking drugs such as adrenaline or vincristine, a sharp refusal to drink alcohol and major operations.

Symptoms of the disease

Usually, any symptoms occur only with primary thrombocytosis. If an increased number of platelets in the blood is caused by some ailment, then the symptoms of thrombocytosis in both an adult and a child are easy to miss for signs of a primary disease. However, if the patient is undergoing treatment in a hospital, then blood tests are done regularly, and it is simply impossible to miss such an alarming sign as a rapid increase in the number of platelets in the blood.

Those who do not have a history of any diseases that can provoke essential thrombocytosis should visit a specialist if the following symptoms are found:

• Bleeding of various nature: nasal, uterine, renal, intestinal, etc. With intestinal bleeding in a child, streaks of blood may be found in the feces.
• Pronounced pain in the fingertips. Such symptoms are most characteristic of an increased number of platelets.
• Constant itching. Of course, such a symptom is characteristic of many other diseases, in particular, skin diseases. Therefore, just in case, the child should be taken to a dermatologist.
• Subcutaneous hemorrhages. If a child begins to bruise for no reason, then this is a rather alarming sign.
• Puffiness, cyanosis of the skin.
• Weakness, lethargy.
• Vision related disorders.

Of course, the symptoms do not have to appear all at once - sometimes 2-3 signs from the list above indicate an increased level of platelets. They should not be left unattended, because the health and life of a person can depend on this: both an adult and a child.

Diagnosis of thrombocytosis

The first thing that begins with the diagnosis of any disease, including such a disease as thrombocytosis, is the collection of anamnesis. The doctor needs to know what diseases the patient had previously (this is especially important for identifying the causes of secondary thrombocytosis), as well as signs indicating the presence of an increased level of platelets that a person (adult or child) has at the time of treatment. But, of course, additional research and analysis is also needed. These include:

• General blood analysis. A simple but very effective way to detect an increased number of platelets in the blood, as well as their possible pathologies.
• Bone marrow biopsy.
• Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and pelvic organs.
• Molecular Research.

In addition to such studies indicating an increased level in general, it is also necessary to conduct a number of tests to make sure that thrombocytosis in an adult or child is not caused by any disease or pathology.

How to cure a disease

The main vector that determines how thrombocytosis will be treated is the type of disease and severity. If thrombocytosis is reactive, then treatment should first be directed to the root cause, that is, the disease that caused the increase in the number of platelets in the blood. If thrombocytosis manifests itself as an independent disease, then the treatment depends on how the level of platelets deviated from the norm. If these changes are minor, then changing the way of eating, as well as the use of traditional medicine, will help solve the problem. The most effective general treatment with the following products:

• Saturated fats. These include fish oil (it is sold in capsules, so you don’t have to “remember the taste of childhood”), linseed and olive oil.
• Tomatoes, tomato juice.
• Sour berries, citrus fruits.
• Onion garlic.

Forbidden foods that increase blood viscosity include bananas, nuts, chokeberries, pomegranates, rosehips and lentils. You should also avoid the use of alcohol, diuretics and various hormonal drugs (including contraceptives).

If one correction of the diet cannot be dispensed with, then the treatment involves the use of special medications to thin the blood. Their exact names are best clarified by consulting a doctor.

At first glance, thrombocytosis is not too dangerous, but it is this syndrome that leads to the formation of blood clots, which, under unfortunate circumstances, can even lead to death. Therefore, it is important in case of any problems to immediately go to a specialist and, if necessary, immediately begin treatment.

Essential thrombocythemia is a chronic megakaryocytic leukemia related to myeloproliferative diseases. Stem cells in the bone marrow are involved in the process. The disease is by nature hemoblastosis, that is, tumor. The number of megakaryocytes increases uncontrollably, and then platelets. Essential thrombocythemia is rare. The prevalence is 3-4 cases per 100,000 adults. People aged 50-60 years are more susceptible to this disease. Women get sick slightly more often than men. As with any cancer, the exact causes of essential thrombocythemia are unknown. There is a connection with radiation damage to the environment. The role of other factors cannot be ruled out.

Symptoms of thrombocythemia

The disease is characterized by a long course without visible manifestations. The progression of the disease is slow. Often months or even years pass from the first recorded changes in blood tests to the appearance of the first complaints. The symptoms of thrombocythemia consist of a simultaneous tendency to form blood clots and bleed. The mechanism of occurrence of these phenomena includes violations of platelet aggregation (both upward and downward). Cerebral, coronary and peripheral thromboses of arteries are characteristic. With essential thrombocythemia, pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis of the legs are possible. From bleedings gastrointestinal, pulmonary, renal, and also skin hemorrhages meet more often. In addition, with thrombocythemia, enlargement of the spleen and liver may develop. These symptoms occur in 50 and 20 percent of patients, respectively. There are numbness and decreased sensitivity in the fingers and toes, earlobes, tip of the nose, associated with impaired blood circulation in small vessels. In some patients, pain in the hypochondrium and along the intestines is possible. Many patients lose body weight. Sometimes there are enlarged groups of lymph nodes. Many non-specific symptoms of thrombocythemia: general weakness, headache, decreased ability to work, fatigue, skin itching, frequent mood swings, fever.

Diagnosis of thrombocythemia

Diagnosis of the disease begins with the registration of a large number of platelets in the general blood test. The diagnosis is made when thrombocytosis is more than 600 thousand per µl after the exclusion of reactive thrombosis. Platelets have varying degrees of functional inferiority. Prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, bleeding time, platelet life time were within the normal range. In the bone marrow, according to the results of the puncture, increased cellularity and megakaryocytosis are detected. Platelet progenitor cells are gigantic and dysplastic. Non-strictly specific genetic abnormalities in essential thrombocythemia are JAK2V617F and MPLW515L/K mutations.

Differential diagnosis of thrombocythemia and secondary thrombosis

It is difficult to distinguish essential thrombocythemia from secondary thrombosis caused by amyloidosis, infection, cancer, or other factors. The American College of Hematology has developed the following criteria for differential diagnosis:

Platelet count over 600,000 per µl in two consecutive blood tests performed 1 month apart;

No known cause of reactive thrombocytosis;

Normal number of red blood cells;

Absence of significant fibrosis in the bone marrow;

The absence of the Philadelphia chromosome;

Enlargement of the spleen;

Hypercellularity of the bone marrow with hyperplasia of megakaryocytes;

The presence in the bone marrow of pathological cells in the form of colonies;

Normal levels of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6;

Absence of iron deficiency anemia;

In women, polymorphism of the genes of the X chromosome.

The more matches found, the more evidence in favor of essential thrombocythemia.

Treatment of thrombocythemia

If a patient has essential thrombocythemia, then an individual treatment should be selected for him in accordance with the existing scheme. Therapy is especially intensively prescribed for those who have a risk of thrombosis. These patients include elderly patients, patients with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Such patients are most often indicated for the treatment of thrombocythemia with cytostatics. These are chemotherapy drugs that reduce the activity of cell division. Hydroxyurea (0.5-4 g orally daily) has been used successfully for the treatment of thrombocythemia for a long time. Because of its potential to cause leukemias (such as acute myeloblastic leukemia), this drug is not given to children.

Therapy for thrombocythemia can be carried out with the help of interferon-alpha. It is used especially widely in pregnant women, as it does not have a damaging effect on the fetus. In general, interferon-alpha is limited by its high cost and poor tolerability. The initial dose of the drug is 1 million IU three times a week, then the dose is increased to 3-6 million IU three times a week. About 20% of patients are forced to stop treatment, as they are very worried about fever, pain in the joints and muscles, nausea, loss of appetite, flu-like symptoms.

Anagrelide is also used to treat thrombocythemia. This drug selectively inhibits the maturation of megakaryocytes, with little effect on other hematopoietic lineages. The initial dose of the drug is 2 mg per day, the maximum is 10 mg. The medicine has side effects related to the cardiovascular system. Characterized by vasodilation and increased heart rate, swelling. If the patient already has any pathology of the heart, then it is not advisable for him to prescribe anagrelide. Under the action of the drug, thrombocythemia can be transformed into myelofibrosis. Because of all these phenomena, anagrelide is mainly used for intolerance to hydroxyurea and interferon-alpha.

Perhaps the successful use of thrombopheresis in combination with acetylsalicylic acid (325 mg orally per day) for the prevention of thrombosis in thrombocythemia.

Treatment of essential thrombocythemia with folk remedies

Folk remedies are sometimes used by patients in the treatment of this disease. There are no studies on folk methods that have proven their effectiveness. Any such methods are used by the patient at their own peril and risk. Most likely, positive changes are associated with the placebo effect, that is, self-hypnosis. It is fundamentally important for the patient to inform the attending physician about what else is used independently to combat the disease. Treatment of essential thrombocythemia with folk remedies includes the use of fasting and various herbal remedies. Most often, infusions of blueberries, seeds of mordovnik and a decoction of a string are recommended.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

Blood pathologies can be associated with a violation of the chemical composition of the plasma, a change in the nature of the fluid flow and an imbalance in the formed elements. With an excess number of platelets in the blood against the background of any disease, doctors speak of secondary thrombocytosis. This pathology can cause various complications, but the severity of the patient's condition largely depends on the primary disease.

Thrombocytosis is a pathology of the blood, in which an excess number of blood cells (platelets) is detected. Doctors usually diagnose this condition with a routine blood test. If a change in the number of platelets occurs against the background of another pathology, we are talking about secondary thrombocytosis. Most often, this disorder is detected by chance during a routine diagnosis.

Unlike the primary disease, secondary thrombocytosis is not associated with red bone marrow pathology. This may be a consequence of dysfunction of the cardiovascular system, oncology, or other ailments not directly related to the formation of platelets. The secondary form of the disorder is also dangerous, but doctors need to first deal with the root cause of the disease.

Secondary thrombocytosis is a common diagnosis in pediatrics. So, primary hematological diseases, like in children, can provoke an excessive formation of normal platelets in the red bone marrow. In adults, the primary form of the disease is more often detected.

Platelets are small non-nuclear cellular fragments of blood that form in the red bone marrow.

Normally, natural processes maintain a constant number of blood cells in the blood through the formation of new platelets in the bone marrow and the destruction of old cells in the spleen. Excessive or insufficient number of these blood components negatively affects hematological functions.

The main function of platelets is participation in (coagulation). Thus, white blood cells interact with various plasma coagulation proteins, resulting in the formation of a dense plug that can prevent blood loss if the integrity of the vascular wall is violated. In addition, platelets secrete specific growth factors that promote the rapid healing of affected tissues. An excess of platelets indicates a high risk of blood clots in healthy vessels, which can cause circulatory disorders.

Causes

As already mentioned, secondary thrombocytosis is rather a complication of the underlying disease. This form of pathology is not accompanied by the formation of a large number of abnormal platelets, which is typical for a malignant neoplasm of the red bone marrow.

Often, the underlying cause of thrombocytosis is more dangerous for the patient, but treatment of this complication is also important to prevent the development of life-threatening conditions.

Possible causes and risk factors:

• Acute blood loss against the background of extensive bleeding.
• Allergic reactions.
• Malignant neoplasms of various organs.
• Chronic kidney failure or other severe kidney disease.
• Excessive physical activity.
• Surgical interventions in which extensive tissue injury occurs.
• Narrowing of the coronary artery.
• and .
• Severe infectious diseases: tuberculosis, HIV and others.
• Iron deficiency and associated anemia.
• Lack of vitamins and minerals.
• Consequences of surgery to remove the spleen.
• Hemolytic anemia, accompanied by the destruction of red blood cells on the background of autoimmune disorders.
• Fracture of bones.
• Systemic autoimmune and inflammatory processes: rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, connective tissue diseases and intestinal inflammation.
• Inflammation of the tissue of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
• Extensive tissue burn.
• Reception of adrenaline, tretinoin, vincristine sulfate, heparin and corticosteroid drugs.
• Enlargement of the spleen and dysfunction of the organ.

A significant number of possible causes of pathology makes it difficult to diagnose. The doctor needs to look for the primary clinical manifestations of the disease.

Symptoms and signs

The disease can cause vascular thrombosis

Secondary thrombocytosis rarely causes symptoms that are distinct from the underlying disease.

In severe pathologies, such as malignant neoplasms and systemic infections, patients do not pay attention to the unexpressed signs of complications of the underlying disease. That is why such a pathology is usually an accidental diagnostic finding.

Possible manifestations of thrombocytosis:

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Weakness and fatigue.
• Loss of consciousness.
• Temporary impairment of visual function.
• Numbness of limbs, tingling in the skin.

The severity of symptoms depends on the degree of increase in the number of white blood cells in the blood.

Diagnostic methods

If thrombocytosis is suspected, a hematologist should be consulted. During the appointment, the doctor will ask the patient about the symptoms, examine the medical history to identify risk factors, and conduct a general examination. During palpation, the doctor may notice a change in the size of the spleen.

In addition, physical examination findings often indicate the presence of an infection or an autoimmune disease. Laboratory and instrumental examinations may be required to make a preliminary diagnosis.

Basic diagnostic methods:

1. - a laboratory test showing the number and ratio of blood cells. In secondary thrombocytosis, doctors find an excess of normal white blood cells. If the cause of thrombocytosis is a chronic inflammatory process, doctors may also detect an increase in white blood cells.
2. Microscopy of a blood smear to assess the structure and activity of the detected platelets.
3. – scanning of organs using high-frequency sound waves. This method is used to examine the spleen.
4. Computer and to search for the root cause of the condition.

Normally, the number of platelets in a microliter of blood should be from 150 to 450 thousand cells. If there are more than 450 thousand platelets in a microliter of the patient's blood, additional diagnostics are necessary.

Important diagnostic criteria:

• The concentration of iron in the blood.
• Presence of signs of inflammation.
• presence of cancer markers.

Red bone marrow biopsy may be required to rule out primary thrombocytosis.

Methods of treatment and complications

The main goal is to treat the underlying cause of the condition and normalize platelet levels. If the condition has arisen due to extensive blood loss, trauma or surgery, special therapy is not required. On the contrary, chronic infections, inflammatory conditions, autoimmune diseases and tumors require mandatory treatment. Removal of the spleen can cause chronic thrombocytosis that cannot be corrected.

As a rule, secondary thrombocytosis does not cause complications from the coagulation system, therefore, it is not required to eliminate the consequences of the underlying disease. In rare cases, when there are too many platelets in the blood, doctors prescribe aspirin. If the disease is due to iron deficiency, the doctor may prescribe a special diet.

• Red meat: beef, pork.
• Poultry of low-fat varieties.
• Buckwheat.
• Bran bread.
• Canned fish.
• Beans and lentils.
• Eggs in any form.
• Pomegranate juice.
• Rosehip decoction.
• lactic acid products

More information about platelets can be found in the video:

The prognosis depends on the underlying disease, but the secondary form of thrombocytosis itself does not apply to severe complications. With a significant increase in the number of platelets, there is a risk of thrombosis of blood vessels and ischemia of vital organs, so the doctor needs to regularly monitor the state of the blood and the functions of the cardiovascular system.

Thus, secondary thrombocytosis is a common complication of various diseases. The main task of a hematologist is to identify the root cause of this condition and prevent possible negative consequences.

A significant increase in the number of platelets in the blood is called thrombocytosis, and it is rightly considered a very dangerous disease. What is the treatment for thrombocytosis, and how does it work at different stages of the disease?

Medical treatment

What is thrombocytosis, how to treat the disease, and what signs of the disease appear first of all - these are the key questions that concern people who have been given a disappointing diagnosis. Initially, the disease develops against the background of constant skin itching and severe headaches. Subsequently, persistent bleeding (intestinal, opaque and nasal) is added to the symptoms. Further, a person develops uncontrolled shortness of breath, vein thrombosis, and instability of blood pressure. All these signs may indicate the development of other diseases, so it is sometimes difficult to make an accurate diagnosis.

It is necessary to start treatment of thrombocytosis as soon as possible, and it is better to use a whole range of medications. Usually, specialists prescribe ticlopedin, clobidogrel, and regular aspirin for treatment. The exact dosage directly depends on the degree of development of the disease and on the age of the patient.

In the presence of ischemia and thrombosis, a slightly different range of drugs is prescribed, mainly heparin, argotoban, livrudin. In this case, the doctor should monitor the number of platelets in the blood daily. If their number does not decrease, the list of medications used should be changed.

In the event that we are talking about the development of thrombocytosis in pregnant women, the list of medications used is completely different. In particular, experts resort to the effective use of Dipyridamole in the amount of 1 tablet 2 times a day. In addition to affecting the decrease in the number of platelets in the blood, this drug helps to normalize uteroplacental blood flow. The use of other drugs to combat thrombocytosis can harm both the fetus and the mother's well-being.

When it comes to advanced cases of thrombocytosis, standard medical methods are unlikely to be effective. Here, cytostatic therapy will be relevant, namely, the removal of excess platelets from the blood by the separation method.

Experts have repeatedly confirmed that thrombocytosis is a dangerous disease, and there are not enough drugs to treat it. A person needs to completely change his diet, and often have to resort to folk methods.

Diets and folk methods in the fight against thrombocytosis

How to treat thrombocytosis if medical methods were not effective? In addition to a number of pills, specialists usually prescribe diets for their patients. The first thing a person needs to do is to completely give up alcohol and smoking, since bad habits only stimulate an increase in the number of platelets in the blood.

The diet in the treatment of thrombocytosis is based on eating foods rich in iodine, potassium and iron. During this period, it is recommended to eat as many nuts, seafood, red meat (for example, beef or pork), as well as dairy products. Juices rich in vitamin C (eg lemon, orange, pomegranate) will also have a positive effect on the healing process. It is only recommended to dilute such juices with water in a ratio of 1: 1.

For the treatment of thrombocytosis, folk methods are also actively used, including the intake of tinctures of garlic and ginger. To prepare garlic tincture, a person should grind the vegetable cloves as much as possible by adding them to a glass of warm water. After the composition is infused for two hours, it should be filtered and drunk in slow sips.

How is the treatment, and what is thrombocytosis? Treatment of this dangerous disease can also take place in the office of a specialist in hirudotherapy. Often it is the treatment with leeches that helps to reduce the number of platelets in the blood. But when referring to folk methods, a person should remember that they are auxiliary. The basis of therapy for such a serious illness is medication.