What Does It Mean If Your Platelet Count Is High
High platelets is a condition in which the blood contains more platelets than usual.
Platelets, or thrombocytes, are small blood cell fragments that assist in blood clotting and help stop bleeding. Clinicians can identify a high platelet count through routine blood tests.
A high platelet count can indicate an underlying condition. However, it can also occur spontaneously, meaning that it happens on its own and not as an effect of another illness. Spontaneous high platelets can still present a risk to health due to the risk of blood clots forming.
Because of this, clinicians categorize the occurrence of high platelets into two medical categories. These are thrombocythemia and thrombocytosis.
What Cancers Cause High Red Blood Cell Count
Polycythemia vera is a type of blood cancer. It causes your bone marrow to make too many red blood cells.
Does a low platelet count mean leukemia?
Certain cancers such as leukemia or lymphoma can lower your platelet count. The abnormal cells in these cancers can crowd out healthy cells in the bone marrow, where platelets are made. Less common causes of a low platelet count include: Cancer that spreads to the bone.
Does Covid make your white blood cells high?
In conclusion, our study suggests that WBC count at admission is significantly corelated with death in COVID-19 patients. Higher level of WBC count should be given more attention in the treatment of COVID-19.
What does high red blood cells indicate?
What is a high red blood cell count? A high red blood cell count is a condition called polycythemia vera. If you have this medical condition, it means that your bone marrow is producing too many red blood cells. This can result in thickening of the blood, slow flow of blood, and eventually blood clots.
How Is A Blood Test Performed In The Lab
Depending on the symptoms you are experiencing, your doctor may order a WBC and Platelet count test. In most hospitals WBC and Platelet count results can be obtained within three to six hours after blood is taken. The blood is usually drawn from a vein on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. Drink plenty of water before your appointment. If you experience any symptoms that you are concerned about are out of the ordinary, call your doctor immediately.
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What Happens When The Platelet Count Is Too Low
While you may now have a fair idea of what does it mean when platelets are high in dogs, it is also essential to understand what happens when the platelet count is too low. This can lead to a different complication which is called thrombocytopenia. While the symptoms of this disorder are quite different from that of thrombocytosis, thrombocytopenia can also be extremely dangerous for your dog.
It is important to keep the signs and symptoms of these disorders and mind when caring for your pet. Follow the vets advice very carefully to ensure a full recovery.
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How Platelets Relate To Cardiovascular Disease
If you have too many platelets, it can increase your risk for clotting. But often your cardiovascular risk has more to do with platelet function than platelet number. For example, you could have a healthy number of platelets, but if theyre sticking together too much it can increase your chance of having a heart attack or stroke.
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What Causes Thrombocytosis
Thrombocytosis occurs when another disease or condition causes you to have a high platelet count. People who have thrombocytosis have normal platelets and a lower risk of blood clots and bleeding than people who have thrombocythemia. Thrombocytosis is more common than thrombocythemia.
Some conditions that can raise your risk of thrombocytosis are listed below.
- Anemia: Iron-deficiency anemia and hemolytic anemia can cause thrombocytosis.
- Cancer: Many people who have high platelet counts also have cancer mostly lung, gastrointestinal, breast, or ovarian cancer or lymphoma. Sometimes a high platelet count is the first sign of cancer.
- Surgery to remove your spleen: The spleen is an organ in your upper left abdomen. Normally, your spleen stores platelets. Removing your spleen can raise your platelet count.
- Inflammation or infections: Conditions such asconnective tissue disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, and tuberculosis can raise your platelet count.
Your platelet count may be high for only a short time. This can be caused by:
- Recovery from serious blood loss
- Recovery from a very low platelet count caused by drinking too much alcohol and having low levels of vitamin B12 or folate
- Acute infection or inflammation
What Does High Ipf Mean
High IPF% has been suggested as an indicator of thrombocytopenia due to rapid platelet consumption. IPF% is able to discriminate between patients with TTP/HUS or SPE/HELLP. Condition or disease. Intervention/treatment. Pre-Eclampsia, Severe HELLP Syndrome Microangiopathy.
Role Of Ipf In Diagnosis Of Itp??@Dr Jehangir Khan
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When Should You Worry About A High Platelet Count
If you have had a blood test result that indicates a high platelet count, ask your doctor about the meaning of your results and about any precautions or treatments you should take.
Seek emergency medical treatment for symptoms of blood clots or uncontrollable bleeding. However, complications from thrombocytosis can be rare.
What Abnormal Results Mean
LOW PLATELET COUNT
A low platelet count is below 150,000 . If your platelet count is below 50,000 , your risk for bleeding is higher. Even every day activities can cause bleeding.
A lower-than-normal platelet count is called thrombocytopenia. Low platelet count can be divided into 3 main causes:
- Not enough platelets are being made in the bone marrow
- Platelets are being destroyed in the bloodstream
- Platelets are being destroyed in the spleen or liver
Three of the more common causes of this problem are:
- Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation
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What Is The Outlook For Someone With Thrombocytosis
Reactive thrombocytosis gets better when the underlying problem resolves. Although your platelet count is elevated for a short time , secondary thrombocytosis doesnt typically lead to abnormal blood clotting.
Essential thrombocythemia , or primary thrombocytosis, can cause serious bleeding or clotting complications. Taking medicine that keeps your platelet levels normal can help prevent this. After many years of having the disease, however, bone marrow fibrosis can develop. A small percentage of people with essential thrombocythemia develop leukemia.
Consult A Doctor For Your Platelet Count Problem
High Platelet count and RDW levels in the blood can cause a number of health problems. Your GP may recommend follow-up tests to get an important picture of your overall health and well-being. If the results are greater than 450 thou/uL for Platelet count and more than 14 % for RDW, you may also need some follow-up tests that will help detect the underlying disease early.
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Medicines To Lower Platelet Counts
You may need one of the following medicines to lower your platelet count.
- Anagrelide: This medicine is used to lower platelet counts. It is mostly used when hydroxyurea does not work. Anagrelide also has side effects, such as fluid retention, palpitations, arrhythmias, heart failure, and headaches.
- Aspirin: This medicine helps prevent blood clots. It is mostly used in people who have a low risk of blood clots. If you have a high risk of blood clots, you may need to take both aspirin and hydroxyurea.
- Hydroxyurea: This platelet-lowering medicine is used to treat cancers and sickle cell disease, for example.
- Interferon alfa: This medicine lowers platelet counts, but it can have serious side effects. Side effects may include a flu-like feeling, decreased appetite, nausea , diarrhea, seizures, irritability, and sleepiness.
Testing And Typical Platelet Levels
An expected platelet range in a healthy individual is 150,000400,000 platelets per microliter of blood. Your exact number may fluctuate day to day.
The average platelet count for females is up to 371,000 per mcl of blood. The average count is up to 317,000 per mcl of blood for males.
If your platelet count is higher than average or outside the expected maximum of 400,000 per mcl of blood, this could indicate an underlying condition.
Clinicians classify a platelet count of more than 450,000 per mcl of blood as thrombocytosis.
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What Does It Mean When Your Platelet Count Is Low
If you have a low platelet count, then you have a condition called thrombocytopenia. This might be caused by a bone marrow disorder such as leukemia, an immune system disorder along with anemia , or a viral infection such as hepatitis. Alternatively, thrombocytopenia can be a side effect of taking some medications such as chemotherapy or certain antibiotics that can interfere with the bone marrow .Thrombocytopenia may be mild and a person may have no symptoms with it. However, a lack of platelets means that the blood may not clot properly. If it is a severe case, symptoms include increased bruising, heavy menstrual flows, blood in the urine or stool and bleeding gums. It can also cause a skin rash of superficial bleeding called petechiae, which looks like tiny red dots and can often appear on the lower legs.
What Conditions Are Associated With High Platelets
Too many platelets can lead to certain conditions, including stroke, heart attack or a clot in the blood vessels. There are two types of thrombocytosis: primary and secondary. Primary thrombocytosisPrimary thrombocytosisEssential thrombocythemia is a rare chronic blood cancer characterised by the overproduction of platelets by megakaryocytes in the bone marrow. It may, albeit rarely, develop into acute myeloid leukemia or myelofibrosis.https://en.wikipedia.org wiki Essential_thrombocythemiaEssential thrombocythemia – Wikipedia is a disease in which abnormal cells in the bone marrow cause an increase in platelets.
Platelet Count | Thrombocytopenia And Thrombocytosis
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How To Increase Platelet Count
There are a number of treatment approaches for an abnormally low platelet count. If the thrombocytopenia is not causing physical symptoms, treatment is usually not required.However, if a low platelet count is dangerously low or symptomatic, then the cause may need to be treated directly. Since there is a wide range of possible causes, resolving thrombocytopenia often involves treating the underlying medical condition or switching medication.For certain forms of thrombocytopenia, a doctor might prescribe drugs which suppress the immune system a common medication used for this is the corticosteroid drug prednisolone.Depending on the cause and if platelet count does not increase, the patient may undergo splenectomy: an operation to remove the spleen. The spleen is essentially a blood filter, but if functioning abnormally, can sometimes become overly destructive to platelets. Response to splenectomy can typically be an increase in platelet count of 30% to 100%.In emergencies or for chronic and unremitting thrombocytopenia, patients with severely low platelet count or significant bleeding may be treated with blood or platelet transfusions.
Keeping Track Of Your Platelets
Too many platelets, too few platelets, abnormally functioning platelets, and related conditions such as blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks can be inherited. So its a good idea to alert your doctor when theres a family connection.
Although you may feel fine, your physician might want to keep a close eye on you and investigate whether or not you need medications to reduce the functioning of your platelets, says Williams. The most common blood-thinning medication is aspirin, although recent studies have shown that women under 65 who are otherwise healthy do not receive the same benefit from aspirin as men do. There is no concrete answer to that yet.
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What It Means To Have Too Few Platelets
When you dont have enough platelets, its called thrombocytopenia. Symptoms include easy bruising, and frequent bleeding from the gums, nose, or GI tract. Your platelet count drops when something is preventing your body from producing platelets. There are a wide range of causes, including:
- Certain types of cancer, such as leukemia or lymphoma
- Chemotherapy treatment for cancer
- Too much alcohol
Does High Platelets Mean Cancer
Summary: Having a high blood platelet count is a strong predictor of cancer and should be urgently investigated to save lives, according to a large-scale study. Having a high blood platelet count is a strong predictor of cancer and should be urgently investigated to save lives, according to a large-scale study.
How high are platelets when you have cancer?
Background. A raised platelet count measuring > 400 × 109/l is associated with high cancer incidence.
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Leucopenia Causes And Treatments
Patients with low white cell counts are more vulnerable to infections. Leucopenia can be caused by infections, certain medications and several underlying conditions, including immune disorders like rheumatic arthritis and lupus. Cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma can also cause leucopenia.
Treatment for leucopenia can include drugs that stimulate the body to produce white blood cells.
Is Thrombocytosis Life
High platelets arent life-threatening, but the complications that can result from the condition blood clots or severe bleeding can be.
The most common causes of thrombocytosis are short-lived and dont put you at risk of serious blood clots. The risk is greater with essential thrombocytosis. Still, your healthcare provider will monitor you closely, prescribe medications and perform necessary procedures to prevent harmful blood clots.
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Mean Platelet Volume :
Mean platelet volume is the average size of a platelet. It also gives an estimate of how old the platelets are. It is a machine-calculated measurement.
Sometimes, the platelets clump together and appear falsely enlarged and in lower numbers.
Some studies suggest that high MPV is a predictor of heart diseases and stroke.
Both these tests are part of the health-screening test, CBC. But these can also be advised exclusively to diagnose, assess, and monitor bleeding and clotting diseases, bone marrow disorders, and other conditions. A blood sample is usually drawn from a vein in the arm and used for the test.
How Is Thrombocythemia Treated
Your healthcare provider will figure out the best treatment based on:
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Your age, overall health, and medical history
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How sick you are
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How well you can handle certain medicines, treatments, or therapies
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How long the condition is expected to last
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Your opinion or preference
Treatment may include:
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Chemotherapy. This is most often given with an oral chemotherapy medicine , or with interferon alpha.
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Plateletpheresis. This is a procedure to remove extra platelets from your blood.
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What Is Primary Thrombocythemia
Primary thrombocythemia is a rare blood clotting disorder that causes bone marrow to produce too many platelets. Its also known as essential thrombocythemia.
Bone marrow is the spongelike tissue inside your bones. It contains cells that produce:
- red blood cells , which carry oxygen and nutrients
- white blood cells , which help fight infections
- platelets, which enable blood clotting
A high platelet count can cause blood clots to develop spontaneously. Normally, your blood begins to clot to prevent a massive loss of blood after an injury. In people with primary thrombocythemia, however, blood clots can form suddenly and for no apparent reason.
Abnormal blood clotting can be dangerous. Blood clots may block the flow of blood to the brain, liver, heart, and other vital organs.
How Is Primary Thrombocythemia Prevented And Treated
Theres no known way to prevent primary thrombocythemia. However, if youve recently received a diagnosis of primary thrombocythemia, there are some things you can do to lower your risk of serious complications.
The first step is managing any risk factors for blood clots. Controlling your blood pressure, cholesterol, and conditions such as diabetes can help reduce the risk of blood clots. You can do this by exercising regularly and eating a diet that largely consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.
Its also important to quit smoking. Smoking increases your risk of blood clots.
To further reduce your risk of serious complications, you should also:
- Take all medications as prescribed.
- Avoid OTC or cold medications that increase the risk of bleeding.
- Avoid contact sports or activities that increase the risk of bleeding.
- Promptly report abnormal bleeding or symptoms of blood clots to your doctor.
Before any dental or surgical procedures, make sure to tell your dentist or doctor about any medications you may be taking to lower your platelet count.
Smokers and people with a history of blood clots may need medications to reduce their platelet count. Others may not need any treatment.
Last medically reviewed on January 9, 2018
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How Is Thrombocytosis Diagnosed
As thrombocytosis doesnt typically cause symptoms, the first sign is often a high platelet count that shows up during routine blood work .
Thrombocytosis involves having more than 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. If you have elevated levels, your healthcare provider will likely order a follow-up blood test a few weeks later to see if your levels remain high. Levels that are momentarily high but then return to normal arent usually concerning. Levels that remain elevated may signal an underlying condition.
Identifying the underlying condition thats raising your levels helps healthcare providers diagnose and manage reactive thrombocytosis. If your provider cant find a secondary cause, theyll run tests to see if you have essential thrombocythemia.
Tests may include:
- Peripheral blood smear: Shows if the platelets in your blood look abnormal.
- DNA/genetic tests: Detect gene mutations common in ET, like JAK2.
- Bone marrow biopsy: Checks for abnormal cells in your bone marrow.