Platelets, also called thrombocytes, play a vital role in blood clotting. For this reason, when the number of platelets in your body is low, the risk of internal bleeding increases considerably. At the same time, if you present them in large quantities, they contribute to the formation of clots that can be dangerous.
Normal levels of thrombocytes in the blood range from 150,000 to 450,000; however, numerous conditions can alter these values, increasing or decreasing them and endangering the proper functioning of your body. If you wonder what it means to have high platelets, keep reading because FastlyHealwe explains it in detail.
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That you suffer from an infection
Infections, whether caused by viruses or bacteria, can cause an increase in the number of platelets in the blood. Although there are severe infections and others that are not, you must visit a doctor to give you the indicated treatment to eliminate the disease.
Generally, infections are treated with antibiotics to kill the infectious bacteria that can remain in your body and cause you different diseases. If your case becomes a virus, it is only about alleviating the symptoms until you heal. However, when taking antibiotics, the infectious elements adapt and become more resistant; that is, in the future, perhaps that same antibiotic will not work for you to cure infections. This is why it is always essential to consult a doctor in the event of an illness, even if it is recurrent.
You have a kidney or liver disorder.
Although it is not usually a prevalent answer to what it means to have high platelets, different alterations can generate thrombocytosis, an increased number of platelets in the blood. This can be observed mainly in disorders such as nephrotic syndrome.
In addition to the increase of thrombocytes in your body, these alterations have other symptoms that you may perceive, such as swelling in the face, arms, legs, or abdominal area, loss of appetite, skin rash, and foamy appearance in the urine, seizures or sudden weight gain. Given these signs, it will be essential to consult a doctor to determine the state of health of your kidneys.
If you suffer from myeloproliferative diseases, another option.
The main characteristic of myeloproliferative pathologies is that your bone marrow, where platelets are generated, works exaggeratedly, more than usual, thus increasing the number of thrombocytes in your blood.
If you suffer from various diseases, your platelets may be abnormal in their size and shape. In addition, it is also possible that other factors in your body increase, such as red and white blood cells. The diseases included in this group are:
- Chronic myeloid leukemia
- Policitemia vera
- Primary myelofibrosis
- Essential thrombocythemia
You have been exposed to a splenectomy.
Splenectomy is the name by which spleen removal surgery is known when it is necessary to remove your spleen if it is damaged or diseased. This is located in the upper part of your abdomen, and its primary function is to filter the blood and fight all kinds of germs and infections within your body.
After this operation is performed, the number of platelets in the blood will likely increase; this is due to a body failure due to which the platelets are not destroyed.
Other possible causes of high platelets
In addition to the pathologies mentioned above, other possible causes of an elevated platelet level are:
- Iron deficiency anemia or iron deficiency anemia, because the body does not produce red blood cells due to the absence of iron, tries to compensate for the situation by making more platelets.
- The presence of ovarian, lung, or breast cancer can lead to an increase in platelets, a condition known as paraneoplastic thrombocytosis.
- Major injuries generally produced by accident can also lead to this pathology.
Main symptoms of thrombocytosis
It generally happens that the symptoms that you may present are mostly related to the disease-causing the high number of platelets in the blood instead of the thrombocytosis itself. However, the most common symptoms you may encounter if you have high platelets are:
- She was bleeding from the nose or gums.
- Ulcers appear on the skin, mainly on the hands and feet.
- Numbness of the extremities of the body.
- Headache.
- Heart attacks or thrombosis in any area.
- Spontaneous bruising or bruising.
Given these signs, it is advisable to consult a doctor.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.