Doctor explains HIGH PLATELET COUNT (Thrombocytosis) | Causes, symptoms and more

In this video Doctor O'Donovan explains key things you need to know about thrombocytosis - a condition that occurs when the platelet count in your blood is high.

What are platelets?
Platelets are tiny blood cells that are made in the bone marrow from larger cells. When you are injured, platelets stick together to form a plug to seal your wound. This plug is called a blood clot. Platelets are also called thrombocytes, because a blood clot is also called a thrombus.

What is a normal platelet count?
A normal platelet count in adults ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. A platelet count of more than 450,000 platelets per microliter is higher than normal.

What are the symptoms of a high platelet count?

People with high platelet levels often don't have signs or symptoms. When symptoms occur, they're often related to blood clots. Examples include:

- Headache.
- Confusion or changes in speech.
- Chest pain.
- Shortness of breath and nausea.
- Weakness.
- Burning pain in the hands or feet.

Less commonly, very high platelet levels may cause bleeding. This can cause:

- Nosebleeds.
- Bruising.
- Bleeding from your mouth or gums.
- Bloody stool.

What causes a high platelet count?

There are two general causes: (1) Reactive thrombocytosis and (2) Essential thrombocythemia

Reactive thrombocytosis is the more common type of thrombocytosis. It's caused by an underlying medical problem, such as: blood loss, cancer, infections, iron deficiency, removal of your spleen, inflammatory disorders, injury, medications and surgery.

The cause of primary thrombocytosis is unclear. It often appears to be connected to changes in certain genes. The bone marrow produces too many of the cells that form platelets, and these platelets often don't work properly. This poses a much higher risk of clotting or bleeding complications than does reactive thrombocytosis.

This is an educational resource only and should NEVER replace medical advice from your own health provider.
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References and resources

#doctor #health #bloodtests #thrombocytopenia #lowplatelets

Video published: 24th April 2024. Next review: 2027.
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Disclaimer:

The video is intended as an educational resource only. The information within this video or on this channel isn't designed to replace professional input, so if you have any medical issues please consult a medical provider. No professional relationship is being created by watching this video. Dr. O'Donovan cannot give any individual medical advice. All information should be verified for accuracy by the individual user. Dr O'Donovan accepts no responsibility for individual interpretation of data, although it is always accurate to the best of his knowledge at the time of the video being published. This is an EDUCATIONAL video. Images are used in accordance with fair use guidelines.

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Content provided via YouTube is for general information purposes ONLY. Information videos are not produced to provide individualised medical advice. Medical education videos on Doctor O'Donovan are not a substitute for professional professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. NEVER ignore professional medical advice because of something you have heard here. ALWAYS consult your doctor regarding any concerns about your condition or treatment.

[pennygirl]

Thanks so much, I was told last week from my hematologist that I was seeing for chronic anemia that my blood platelets are high. I had not been to see him since the pandemic shut down and I decided to go and check my hemoglobin level and also to get my Iron fusion. So that very day before I left he took blood from me and the next day had his PA call me to say they are high. She also stated that the last few times they did this test my platelets were not high. I have been nervous since and I think it may be coming from some fibroids and my menstrual for the last 2 months have been over a week. I pray it is either that, or my anemia which by the way I am now at a normal number of 11.5 I can only think its the issue with the on going menstrual or the inflammation in the knee which I recently found out about also. Very little cartilage in the one knee. I pray it is no cancer, prior to finding out about the high platelets I had been tested for ovarian cancer and also had a biopsy that was normal also a mammogram that was normal. I have an appointment to do a colon one. I have been praying this situation has me so stressed. I return to see the hematologist in a few days so we can then talk in person. I have plenty of questions now. God Bless everyone on here that may be going through a health situation.

[quinnoaechase]

Is there a natural way to decrease the high platelets cells?

[bycpxvk]

To cut a 10 month journey short. I've went from 1072 Sep 2023 to 1373 June 2024 . After a bone marrow biopsy they found x1 mutation but it wasn't directly linked to increased platelets. So at first i was classed as a triple negative patient. After further tests at Royal Marsden/ Guys & St Thomas's, they discovered x2 mutations. Hyperactive bone marrow. Since July 2024 ive been on 75mg Aspirin & Interferon injections. My Platelets have been reduced by half now.

If you need more information on my living with MPD & Immunomodulatory (Properties Antineoplastic) Interferon Alpha-2B, please ask.

[ChristenasBlock]

Mines is 500. Gonna get it checked out.

[nirazarazara]

Dear doctor I'm from the Netherlands... I have a high blood plates for the last 10 years it's always around 600 I'm experiencing body pains like an inflamed body not sharp pain but pressure pain. On my head and legs.... I did 2 bone marrow puntion and my blood plates production are normal. The doctor deny any other problem.... I think I'm having some infection or underlying issue because 10 years high blood plates is not normal... Yet the doctors cannot find any underlying problem.... What is your opinion on this. Is it possible to have height blood plates without a underlying problem?

[marion]

Doctor O Donovan Thanks for the video found it very interesting

[anujpainuli]

QUESTION: hey doc i just got attacked by squirrel i dont see any bite mark but it tried to climb and i could feel the nails of it i might have got scratch from it but the thing make me furious is that the squrriel attacked me when it was 8 pm and in this time they are not that common i tried to see it but it ran away it was kinda slow and confused . btw i am from india and most of the rabies case are found here maybe that squirrel got attack by dog is it possible that it might have rabies please help..

[kiminieabli]

I had 457 platelet last July 2 and then yesterday, I had 437 and they still said that this is alarmingly high.

[Sixfuta]

My mom had essential Thrombocitosis with no symptoms other than high platelet counts showing in her blood work. Unfortunately her (dumb American) doctor prescribed her hydroxyurea, a chemotherapy drug. Unlike when using it to treat cancer patients, there was no break from the hydroxyurea. Hydroxyurea slows your body’s production of cells generally. Soon her general health declined because her body could no longer heal itself; her quality of live fell away quickly and my beautiful, active energetic mom who looked 25 years younger than her actual age at age 78, began to age rapidly at age 80 and died weak and nearly helpless at age 82. During her treatment, I realized that I was reading more medical journals than her doctors. I asked her doctor about platelet leforisis and he had never heard of such a thing and told me that not something they could do. So she died at was was a premature age for her because in America it’s OK for doctors to be mediocre and poorly informed as long as the doctor and hospital can charge your insurance company for the substandard treatment they give yet still claim America has the best medical care system in the world when it’s merely the most expensive and most profitable.

[YG-ptvw]

Could a hematoma on hand cause it to elevate ?

[annemarie]

How long would it take for platlets to normalize after IDA is corrected with Iron transfusions? Are we talking days, weeks, months?

[bg]

Please, I’m at 415 over 4 months…should I be concerned? No symptoms and all other cbc results are in range. I thought over 450 was concerning but my doctor is sending me to a hematologist which I think is unnecessary…please advise?

[JyotiSonawane-wgof]

This was so helpful but i do have 6lack of platelets cout is that is problematic

[deesanti]

I’ve done bone marrow aspiration and there’s a slight scarring on my bone marrow, my doctor said there’s nothing to worry about it because it’s not that alarming, maybe because it’s just a slight scarring? But how long will it take to progress???

I’ve been diagnose since early 2021.

[HOSTTHEGRIM]

thank you very much for that its given me more information , can you please explain the MCV

[josuna]

I’m at 458, also been having discoloration to my left foot 🥲 toes turn purplish and gets COLD..

[indiancitizen]

Post spleenctomy my platelet counts reached 1 million. Is this concern? My hematologist reacted normal.

[Alfactors]

400 to 500 in 4 mounth No injuries.
Blood hot blood test negative

[llisagomez]

Does HRT (hormone replacement estrogen/progestrone) cause this condition

[milesdyson]

WHAT OS THE NATRUAL WAY FOR THE CURE ?