Platelets, also called thrombocytes, are blood cells produced by the bone marrow and are responsible for the blood clotting process, with increased platelet production in case of bleeding, for example, avoiding excessive blood loss.
The platelet reference value is between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets/L of blood, however certain conditions may interfere with the platelet production process, with an increase or decrease in their blood concentration, called this condition thrombocytopenia.
- Not only is platelet count important.
- But also the quality of platelets produced by the bone marrow.
- Diseases related to platelet quality include von Willebrand disease.
- Which is linked to the clotting process.
- Scott’s syndrome.
- Glanzmann’s throm thief and Bernard-Soulier syndrome.
- In addition.
- It is important to know the values of hemoglobin.
- Which may indicate diseases such as anemia.
- Leukemia and pulmonary emphysema.
Increased number of platelets, also called thrombocytosis or thrombocytosis, can occur from pathological or physiological causes, with intense exercise, work, high altitude, smoking, stress or adrenaline use, for example.
The main pathological causes of thrombocytosis are
It is important that the cause of the increased platelets is identified so that the doctor can indicate the best treatment option.
In addition to thrombocytosis, another disorder related to platelets is thrombocytopenia, which is the decrease of platelets in the blood, which can occur due to the use of certain medications, pernicious anemia, autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, and nutritional deficiencies, for example. Learn about other causes of thrombocytopenia and how to treat it.
The increase in the number of platelets usually causes no symptoms and is perceived from the performance of the blood formula, which is the blood test that evaluates the amount and characteristics of blood cells.
In some cases symptoms may occur, which may vary by cause, with nausea, vomiting, dizziness and tingling in the extremities.
Depending on the blood platelet concentration, the presence of symptoms, and the person’s general condition, the family doctor or hematologist may recommend the use of aspirin to reduce the risk of thrombosis, or hydroxyurea, which is a drug capable of reducing blood cell production through the bone marrow.
In addition, if the platelet concentration is too high to the point of endangering the patient’s life by the high risk of clotting, therapeutic thrombocytomaration may be recommended, a procedure by which excess platelets are removed, with the help of a team.being able to balance the values of circulating platelets.