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Why do I have high platelets

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

Blood is our essential fluid, the source of life; it waters our entire body and keeps it healthy. When there is any condition or anomaly in it, it unleashes doubts and concerns because although we are aware of its importance, we are very ignorant of it and its functions.

Platelets -or thrombocytes- are one of the components that make up blood along with red and white blood cells and plasma, but do you know what their function is? What happens if they are high? Why do I have platelets? High?

Next, in FastlyHealwe are going to give you answers to all your possible doubts so that you know everything about thrombocytes.

What are platelets

Platelets, also called thrombocytes, are cells that are present in our blood and that are responsible for regulating its clotting processes; they are essential in the formation of clots and the repair of damaged blood vessels.

When there is a lesion in a blood vessel, the platelets are distributed through the affected area, bunching up against each other, forming a platelet plug. The platelet plug is the clotting of blood through the accumulation of platelets, which prevents bleeding and excessive bleeding.

When the number of platelets is too low, this shortage could lead to excessive bleeding due to the inability of the body to stop the flow of blood from leaving the body; at the other extreme, when the platelet levels are too high, there are significant risks that blood clots can be created that cause cardiovascular accidents, myocardial infarction or pulmonary embolism.

High platelet symptoms

Usually, the symptoms of the disease causing the high platelets are more conspicuous and more predominant than the elevated levels of platelets themselves. It is widespread for a not very marked increase in platelets to be asymptomatic, so it cannot be detected if a previous test is not passed.

It is widespread to think that high levels of platelets cause excessive clotting, and the symptoms will be linked to this condition. However, when there are high platelets, it is usually because there is some abnormality in their creation, which causes them to be defective and fail to fulfill their function. So bleeding, contrary to what we might think, can be one of these symptoms.

It should be said that the symptoms of high platelets are not specific at all; that is, they are symptoms common to a multitude of diseases and conditions of the body, so it is impossible to know that you have high platelets only through signs. Among the most frequent symptoms we find:

  • Headache
  • Hands and feet that go numb.
  • Spontaneous bruising and bleeding on the skin.
  • Ulcers on the skin of the hands and feet.
  • Large bruises on the body without having to have been hit.
  • Bleeding in the gums while brushing the teeth.
  • Nasal bleeding .
  • Myocardial infarction or thrombosis in any other part of the body.

Why do I have high platelets?

The causes of high platelets are many and varied:

Infections

Infections caused by viruses or bacteria are usually the most common cause of increased platelets. With a good diagnosis of the initial infection and adequate treatment of it, it is usually enough for, in a short time, the platelets to return to their average values.

If you have had an infection not long ago, it is logical that your levels may be somewhat high; over time, as your body returns to normal, so will your blood platelet levels.

Bad nutrition

Another common cause of high platelet levels is iron deficiency anemia or iron deficiency anemia, usually due to an unbalanced diet and a lack of certain nutrients.

When there is not enough iron intake, the amount of red blood cells decreases, as it is essential in their formation. To counteract this deficiency, the body produces more platelets, substantially raising their levels to levels that can be dangerous.

To return to normal platelet levels, it is essential, apart from following the advice and treatments designed by the doctor, to follow a good diet to prevent you from having iron deficiency again. The following FastlyHealarticle explains the keys to curing iron deficiency anemia.

Kidney problems

Nephrotic syndrome, a condition in the kidneys that weakens and impairs the proper functioning of this organ, causes proteins to be expelled through the urine, leaving the blood with deficient protein levels but with very high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.

It is essential to visit a doctor to do the corresponding tests to diagnose this disease.

Cancer

Although the link and the reason for the high platelet count in the appearance of tumors are unknown, it is known that these high levels can be an indicator of the presence of some cancer in the body.

Other conditions

More conditions and diseases can lead to a considerable increase in platelet levels. We highlight deep trauma caused by some accident or blow, which may have caused internal damage that the platelets are trying to alleviate, or the Kawasaki disease. This condition occurs more strongly in Japan and mainly affects children under five years.

Treatment

Considering the wide variety of causes that can cause an increase in platelets, treatment should also be aimed at curing the underlying disease to return platelet levels to normal.

However, there are specific drugs to rapidly lower platelet levels and avoid complications that may arise from this condition. In extreme cases, when the risk of difficulty may be imminent and potentially dangerous, there is a treatment to drastically reduce the number of platelets consisting of extracting the blood and separating the platelets from the rest until leaving it at optimal thrombocyte levels.

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.

If you want to read more articles similar to Why do I have high platelets , we recommend that you enter our Blood, heart and circulation category .

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