Diagnosis of thrombocytosis

Thrombocytosis can be detected by a blood test. From a value of 500 000 thrombocytes per microliter on, one speaks of thrombocytosis. This finding is often a chance finding, since thrombocytosis often occurs without symptoms.

If an increase in platelets is detected, it should be clarified where it comes from. As a rule, these are infections, inflammations or injuries. A possible iron deficiency can also be detected by a blood test.

In patients in whom a permanently elevated platelet count is to be expected, such as cancer patients during or after chemotherapy, the blood values should be checked regularly. However, if no cause can be found, primary thrombocytosis should be considered and a bone marrow puncture should be performed. However, this is rarely necessary.

Symptoms of thrombocytosis

In most cases, thrombocytosis is asymptomatic if it is a reaction to another disease or surgery. This is because the elevated platelet count only persists for a short time. If platelets are elevated during pregnancy or after exercise, there are often no symptoms because the elevation is quite low.

However, if the thrombocytosis persists for a longer period of time, various symptoms can occur. These are quite unspecific. These include, for example, impaired vision, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, calf cramps, dizziness or headaches. If it is a primary thrombocytosis, circulatory disorders occur. These become noticeable mainly through gait and vision problems.The increased number of thrombocytes can lead to thrombosis and the risk of a heart attack or stroke is increased.

Thrombocytosis in children

Just like in adults, thrombocytosis also occurs in children after injuries, operations or infections, such as pneumonia or meningitis. In all these cases, the underlying disease must be treated, after which the platelet count returns to normal by itself. Iron deficiency is also a possible cause in children, in which case taking iron supplements can help to reduce the number of platelets again.

Children may also have chronic inflammation, which causes symptoms similar to those of adults and can be the cause of thrombocytosis. In addition, increased stress or anxiety can lead to an increase in platelets in a healthy child. A rarer cause is anemia, which leads to an increase in platelets.

Primary thrombocytosis may also be present in children due to a malignant disease of the bone marrow. If this is diagnosed, therapy should be started immediately. Depending on the extent of the disease, this can range from the administration of blood-thinning medication (aspirin) to chemotherapy.