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Thrombocytosis treatment. Secondary thrombocytosis: all about the pathology. Treatment of thromboembolism, as well as thrombosis, is

A myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by a significant increase in the number of platelets in the blood and increased proliferation of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow. Etiology unknown.

CLINICAL PICTURE AND NATURAL COURSE

1. Symptoms:

In many cases, ET is diagnosed incidentally while examining a complete blood count for other indications. Symptoms are associated with blood clots in the microcirculation: paresthesia of the distal parts of the extremities, scotoma, erythromelalgia, headaches and dizziness. Thrombosis of large vessels (the most common complication): arterial (acute coronary syndromes, stroke, Budd-Chiari syndrome, portal vein thrombosis). Mucosal and gastrointestinal bleeding (in ≈15% of patients) caused by platelet dysfunction occurs especially in patients with platelet counts >1–1.5 million/μL, who may develop acquired von Willebrand syndrome. U<10–15 % пациентов встречаются как тромботические, так и геморрагические осложнения. Умеренное увеличение селезенки у 10–15 % больных.

2. Natural history: may be asymptomatic for many years. Later complications arise: thrombosis (1-year risk 1–3%), bleeding, transformation to myelofibrosis (15-year risk 5–10%), transformation to AML or MDS (3%).

Additional research methods

1. General peripheral blood test: increased platelet count, abnormal shape and size; the number of leukocytes and Hb concentration are within normal limits or increased.

2. Aspiration biopsy and bone marrow trephine biopsy→Diagnostic criteria.

3. Molecular research: 90% of patients have 1 of 3 driver mutations: mutation V617F of the JAK2 gene (in ≈60%), mutations in the CALR gene (20–25%), mutations in the MPL gene (in 3–4%). 10–15% of patients do not have the above-mentioned molecular changes (“triple negative”).

4.  Other examinations: for differential diagnosis with reactive thrombocytosis in case of negative results of molecular studies (eg, ferritin concentration, ESR, CRP), platelet dysfunction (most often impaired aggregation under the influence of adrenaline, ADP and collagen).

Diagnostic criteria (WHO 2016) All major criteria or the first 3 major criteria and a minor criterion must be present.

Large criteria:

1) constant platelet count ≥450,000/μl;

2) on bone marrow biopsy, proliferation of the megakaryocyte lineage with an increased number of large mature megakaryocytes with a multilayered nucleus; absence of a significant increase or shift to the left in neutrophil granulocytopoiesis and erythropoiesis; very rarely minor reticulin fibrosis (grade 1);

3) non-compliance with WHO criteria for CML, PV, PMF, MDS and other neoplasms of the hematopoietic system;

4) exclusion of polycythemia vera (PV), primary myelofibrosis (PMF), CML, MDS and other neoplastic diseases of the leukocyte system;

5) the presence of 1 of the above-mentioned driver mutations.

Small criterion: presence of clonal marker or lack of evidence of reactive thrombocythemia → Differential diagnosis.

Differential diagnosis

1. Thrombocytosis accompanying other hematopoietic tumors: PV, CML, PMF, MDS 5q–, MDS/MPN-RS-T.

2. Reactive thrombocythemia: for solid tumors (mainly lungs and pancreas), iron deficiency anemia, chronic inflammatory and infectious diseases, after acute blood loss, after removal of the spleen, for chronic alcoholism, in ordinary blood donors, for hemolytic anemia, for narcotic anemia .

3. Familial thrombocytosis.

4. Pseudothrombocytosis: cryoglobulinemia, fragmentation of red blood cells or tumor cells in the blood.

Choice of treatment method

depends on the presence of risk factors for thrombotic complications (age >60 years and history of thrombotic complication). In the low-risk group (no risk factors), use ASA without cytoreductive therapy, and in the high-risk group (≥1 risk factor above), also use cytoreductive treatment. It may also be considered in patients with a platelet count >1.5 million/μL (due to increased risk of bleeding), progressive myeloproliferation (eg, enlarged spleen), uncontrolled general symptoms, and microcirculatory disorders resistant to ASA treatment.

1. Cytoreductive drugs: The first-line drug is hydroxyurea (HM), initial dose 15 mg/kg/day, subsequently modify the dose to stabilize the platelet count ≈450,000/μl, as well as to avoid anemia or neutropenia. It is possible to maintain platelet counts slightly higher than normal in patients receiving cytoreductive therapy, as long as leukocytosis, a major risk factor for thrombosis, is controlled.

Second-line treatment in patients who have not achieved a significant reduction in platelet count or are intolerant to hydroxyurea:

1) anagrelide, initially 1.5–2 mg/day, maintenance dose depending on the platelet count;

2) IFN-α (or Peg-IFN-α2a), initial dose of 3–5 million units/day subcutaneously 3 times/week. (Drug of choice for pregnant women or those planning pregnancy);

3) in patients with expected short survival, consider the use of busulfan.

Complete remission:

1) disappearance of objective symptoms and significant improvement in subjective symptoms, lasting ≥12 weeks;

2) remission of complete peripheral blood count values ​​for ≥12 weeks (platelet count ≤400,000/μL, leukocyte count ≤10,000/μL, leukoerythroblastosis);

3) absence of disease progression, thrombosis and bleeding;

4) histological remission of the bone marrow.

Partial remission: This is the fulfillment of the first three criteria, without bone marrow remission.

2. Antiplatelet drugs: used in patients with microcirculatory disorders, JAK 2 mutation, or cardiovascular risk factors; contraindicated in patients with acquired von Willebrand syndrome.

Both adults and children are susceptible to the disease. Thrombocytosis is of three types: primary, secondary and clonal.

Causes of thrombocytosis

The reasons why thrombocytosis may develop are different:

  • removal of the spleen, in this case platelet utilization slows down;
  • mental or physical stress, in which the distribution of platelets in the bloodstream is disrupted;
  • erythremia;
  • myeloid leukemia;
  • inflammatory diseases;
  • malignant neoplasms;
  • perforated ulcer;
  • cirrhosis of the liver;
  • tuberculosis;
  • rheumatism in the acute stage;
  • acute blood loss;
  • Iron-deficiency anemia.

The cause of the disease may be a side effect of certain medications, but there are no specific symptoms.

  • enlarged spleen;
  • bleeding in the digestive organs;
  • severe itching;
  • pain in fingertips;
  • disorders of the central nervous system;
  • vegetative-vascular dystonia;
  • headache;
  • cold extremities;
  • rapid pulse;
  • anemia.

Reducing platelets with folk remedies

To treat thrombocytosis, along with medications, alternative medicine methods are also used.

Fresh mulberry roots, thoroughly washed and chopped. Two hundred grams of roots need to be filled with water, which will require three liters. Place the product on high heat, after it boils, reduce the heat and simmer the broth for fifteen minutes. When it cools down, carefully filter it and take a glass three times a day for five days, then take a three-day break and resume taking it. A total of three courses are required. The finished broth is stored in the refrigerator.

Fill fifty grams of green horse chestnut peel with vodka, which will require five hundred milliliters. The product should be placed in a glass jar, covered with a lid and kept in the dark for ten days. Then it should be strained and consumed forty drops before meals three times a day, after diluting with water, which needs twenty-five milliliters, sweetened with sugar or honey. The course is twenty-one days. If longer use is required, a new course should be started after a week.

Dry thorn blossom should be mixed with the same amount of dandelion grass. You will need two spoons of the mixture, which need to be filled with 400 milliliters of boiling water. The product should sit for four hours. Then it is filtered and taken throughout the day, divided into four doses. You need to be treated like this for two weeks. Repeat the course twice a year. During this period you need to adhere to a vegetarian diet.

Add a teaspoon of sweet clover to a glass of boiling water and leave under a towel for half an hour. The infusion should be drunk a day, dividing it into three to four doses. This treatment should be carried out for a month. If necessary, the course can be repeated three times a year.

Peony root must be thoroughly chopped. A tablespoon of root is poured into a glass of seventy percent alcohol and left in a dark place for twenty-one days. Take the tincture thirty drops, up to three times a day, before meals. The course of treatment is two weeks, then you need to take a week break and resume taking it.

Wine grapes are suitable for preparing the medicine. You need to squeeze the juice out of it and cook it over low heat, skimming off the foam, until the volume is reduced by a third; sugar should not be added. You need to store the juice in the refrigerator and drink one glass a day. Before taking, you can add a tablespoon of light honey. Treat for one month.

One hundred grams of flax grass, pour 500 milliliters of vodka and leave in a warm place for twenty days. The tincture needs to be strained. Thirty drops should be taken three times a day. For hypertension, the dose can be increased to a teaspoon of infusion. Reception course, two weeks.

In order to prepare the tincture, you will need sixty grams of crushed roots, which need to be filled with 500 milliliters of high-quality vodka. The tincture should be stored for ten days in a dark, cool place, remembering to shake. It is better to choose glass containers. Take twenty-five drops of tincture. This should be done up to three times a day, before meals, twenty minutes. Take the tincture for twenty-one days, then take a seven-day break and resume the course. A total of three courses of treatment will be required.

Mushrooms should be collected away from roads and polluted areas. Finely chopped mushroom caps should be placed in a liter jar; in this case, it is better not to use the stems. Fill with alcohol. You need to infuse the product for fourteen days, then strain using gauze, and squeeze out the pulp thoroughly. The tincture is taken twice a day before meals. To do this, a teaspoon of tincture is diluted in fifty milliliters of water.

Green tea with ginger and cinnamon

Pour 500 ml of boiling water over a teaspoon of finely chopped ginger root and the same amount of dry green tea, add a stick or a pinch of cinnamon. Let it brew for a quarter of an hour and add a small piece of lemon. The prepared tea should be drunk the day before, in small sips.

It will help get rid of thrombocytosis, improve blood circulation, reduce blood viscosity and dissolve formed blood clots. To prepare the tincture, you need to pour fifty grams of dry leaves into a bottle of vodka, infuse for two weeks and take a teaspoon, up to four times a day, thirty minutes before meals. The course of taking the medicine is one month. You need two such courses, and they need to be repeated every six months.

Fees for the treatment of thrombocytosis

Sweet clover, mountain arnica, wormwood and meadowsweet. The herbs need to be mixed in equal quantities, then a tablespoon is poured with boiling water and left overnight in a thermos. Strain and drink one third of a glass a day before meals. Treatment should be continued for a month. You can also grind the herbs in a coffee grinder and take a teaspoon three times a day.

Take meadowsweet, rosehip petals, and black tea in equal quantities. A teaspoon of this collection should be poured with boiling water, three hundred milliliters. After leaving for a quarter of an hour, strain and drink in one go. This product must be used within four weeks. If necessary, the course can be repeated.

Mix thirty grams of rosehip and hawthorn fruits, add a liter of water and boil for seven minutes over low heat. Leave for an hour and take one hundred milliliters, up to three times a day.

Oranges

Every day you need to drink one hundred milliliters of freshly squeezed orange juice or eat a whole medium-sized orange. Within fourteen days the result will be noticeable. You can also mix orange juice with ripe pumpkin juice in a one to one ratio.

Thrombocytosis is a serious disease that requires consultation with a doctor. To avoid complications and deterioration of the condition, it is necessary to consult a doctor and undergo timely tests to control the number of platelets in the blood, as well as conduct an examination to identify the causes of the disease.

Thrombocythemia

Essential thrombocythemia is a chronic megakaryocytic leukemia related to myeloproliferative diseases. The process involves stem cells in the bone marrow. The disease is by its nature hemoblastosis, that is, tumor. The number of megakaryocytes and then platelets increases uncontrollably. Essential thrombocythemia is quite rare. The prevalence is 3-4 cases per 100 thousand adults. Older people are more susceptible to this disease. Women get sick somewhat more often than men. As with any cancer, the exact causes of essential thrombocythemia are unknown. There is a connection with radiation damage to the environment. The role of other factors cannot be ruled out.

Symptoms of thrombocythemia

The disease is characterized by a long course without visible manifestations. The progression of the disease is slow. Often, months and even years pass from the first recorded changes in blood tests to the appearance of the first complaints. Symptoms of thrombocythemia consist of a simultaneous tendency to form blood clots and bleed. The mechanism of occurrence of these phenomena includes disturbances in platelet aggregation (both upward and downward). Cerebral, coronary and peripheral arterial thrombosis are characteristic. With essential thrombocythemia, pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis of the legs are possible. The most common types of bleeding are gastrointestinal, pulmonary, renal, and skin hemorrhages. In addition, thrombocythemia may cause enlargement of the spleen and liver. These symptoms occur in 50 and 20 percent of patients, respectively. There is numbness and decreased sensitivity in the fingers and toes, earlobes, and tip of the nose, associated with impaired blood circulation in small vessels. Some patients may experience pain in the hypochondrium and along the intestines. Many patients lose weight. Sometimes enlarged groups of lymph nodes appear. There are many nonspecific symptoms of thrombocythemia: general weakness, headache, decreased ability to work, fatigue, itchy skin, frequent mood swings, increased body temperature.

Diagnosis of thrombocythemia

Diagnosis of the disease begins with recording a large number of platelets in a general blood test. The diagnosis is made when thrombocytosis exceeds 600 thousand per microliter after excluding reactive thrombosis. Platelets have varying degrees of functional inferiority. Prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, bleeding time, life time of blood platelets were within normal limits. In the bone marrow, puncture results reveal increased cellularity and megakaryocytosis. Platelet precursor cells are gigantic in size and dysplastic. Not strictly specific genetic abnormalities in essential thrombocythemia are JAK2V617F and MPLW515L/K mutations.

Differential diagnosis of thrombocythemia and secondary thrombosis

It is difficult to distinguish essential thrombocythemia from secondary thrombosis caused by amyloidosis, infection, cancer, or other factors. The American College of Hematology has developed the following criteria for differential diagnosis:

The platelet count is more than µl in two consecutive blood tests performed at an interval of 1 month;

No known cause of reactive thrombocytosis;

Normal red blood cell count;

No significant fibrosis in the bone marrow;

Absence of the Philadelphia chromosome;

Bone marrow hypercellularity with megakaryocyte hyperplasia;

The presence of pathological cells in the form of colonies in the bone marrow;

Normal levels of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6;

Absence of iron deficiency anemia;

In women, there is polymorphism of X chromosome genes.

The more matches found, the more evidence supports essential thrombocythemia.

Treatment of thrombocythemia

If a patient is diagnosed with essential thrombocythemia, then individual treatment should be selected for him in accordance with the existing regimen. Therapy is especially intensive for those who are at risk of thrombosis. Such patients include elderly patients, patients with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Such patients are most often indicated for treatment of thrombocythemia with cytostatics. These are chemotherapy drugs that reduce the activity of cell division. Hydroxyurea (0.5-4 g orally daily) has been used for the treatment of thrombocythemia for a long time and with success. Because of its potential to cause leukemia (eg, acute myeloblastic leukemia), this drug is not prescribed to children.

Thrombocythemia can be treated with interferon-alpha. It is used especially widely in pregnant women, as it does not have a damaging effect on the fetus. In general, the limitation of prescribing interferon-alpha is its high cost and poor tolerability. The initial dose of the drug is 1 million IU three times a week, then the dose is increased to 3-6 million IU three times a week. About 20% of patients are forced to stop treatment because they are very worried about increased body temperature, pain in joints and muscles, nausea, loss of appetite, and flu-like symptoms.

Anagrelide is also used to treat thrombocythemia. This drug selectively inhibits the maturation of megakaryocytes, with little effect on other hematopoietic germs. The initial dose of the drug is 2 mg per day, the maximum is 10 mg. The medicine has side effects related to the cardiovascular system. Characterized by vasodilatation, increased heart rate, and swelling. If the patient already has any heart pathology, then it is not advisable to prescribe anagrelide. Under the influence of the drug, thrombocythemia may transform into myelofibrosis. Because of all these phenomena, anagrelide is used mainly for intolerance to hydroxyurea and interferon-alpha.

It is possible to successfully use thrombopheresis in combination with acetylsalicylic acid (325 mg orally per day) for the prevention of thrombosis in thrombocythemia.

Treatment of essential thrombocythemia with folk remedies

Folk remedies are sometimes used by patients to treat this disease. There are no studies on traditional methods that have proven their effectiveness. Any such methods are used by the patient at his own risk. Most likely, positive changes are associated with the placebo effect, that is, self-hypnosis. It is fundamentally important for the patient to inform the attending physician about what else is used independently to combat the disease. Treatment of essential thrombocythemia with folk remedies includes the use of fasting and various herbal remedies. The most often recommended are infusions of blueberry fruits, mordovnik seeds and a decoction of string.

Thrombocytosis - causes, treatment, symptoms, nutrition, Trombanet

People often ask: “thrombocytosis causes and treatment” - let’s figure out what this attack is and how to deal with it. In this article you will find answers to the questions: causes, classification, symptoms and treatment of thrombocytosis.

Knowledge Base: Thrombocytosis

What is thrombocytosis? This is a diagnosis showing that a person’s blood contains a large number of platelets.

Why is this dangerous? First of all, thrombocytosis shows that the risk of thrombosis and bleeding is increased.

The normal amount is considered to be from 150 thousand to 450 thousand platelets in 1 μl (microliter, that is, in 1 cubic millimeter) of blood, ideally thousand/μl, but there may be exceptions:

  1. at night in all people and on the days of menstruation in women, their level decreases significantly (by 20-50%) - and this is also normal;
  2. When a child is born, his platelet count can fluctuate within a wider range - thousand/mcL. In this range, blood is considered normal - within a week their number will change and become the same as in adults.

With thrombocytosis, the number of platelets can be more than a million in 1 μl of blood.

The causes of thrombocytosis vary depending on its type. It happens:

  1. primary - with rare exceptions, it mainly affects people over 60 years of age (1 case per 11 million children occurs in infants, and even less frequently in adults under 60 years of age);
  2. secondary (reactive) - in most cases (99.9%) is typical for children, although it occasionally occurs in adults.

Primary thrombocytosis

What is thrombocytosis and how does it manifest?

Inside the cavities of many human bones is red bone marrow, which contains hematopoietic stem cells. It is from them that all the blood that is in the body of any of us is subsequently formed.

If the work of these stem cells is disrupted, then blood begins to be produced incorrectly (myeloproliferative syndrome) - too many platelets are thrown into the blood, and the platelets themselves can be deformed.

As a result of such disturbances, blood clots may begin to form in the blood vessels, and bleeding may occur with deformed platelets. Such disorders are called primary thrombocytosis.

The disease develops very slowly, sometimes over many years.

Symptoms and diagnosis of primary thrombocytosis

There is no need to talk about external symptoms of thrombocytosis.

In different people, they may look like symptoms of completely different diseases:

  • anemia;
  • feeling of fullness in the abdomen;
  • gout and other joint pains;
  • migraine;
  • skin itching;
  • blood clots in blood vessels;
  • enlarged liver or spleen;
  • exposure to infectious diseases;
  • bleeding of the skin, gastrointestinal tract, etc.;
  • fatigue, shortness of breath, spots before the eyes, etc.

The presence of primary thrombocytosis itself is revealed only in laboratory studies. Even a general blood test will help identify abnormalities, and then the doctor may prescribe additional tests.

Causes and treatment of primary thrombocytosis

The causes of thrombocytosis can be different, but the main one is excessive cell division (proliferation) as a result of the development of mainly cancer in the hematopoietic system (hematopoiesis, mutation and transformation) of stem cells.

Treatment is carried out by a hematologist.

Depending on the causes of the disease, medication or other treatment is prescribed:

  1. chronic myeloid leukemia (chronic myeloid leukemia) is a malignant blood disease (if detected in a timely manner, it is quite successfully treated or at least significantly contained);
  2. idiopathic myeloid leukemia (idiopathic thrombocytosis) - a disease that causes the appearance of scar compactions in the bone marrow and disruption of the process of normal hematopoiesis (treated mainly with radiation therapy, there are also foreign inhibitory drugs that are not registered in Russia);
  3. true (primary) polycythemia - a benign or malignant tumor disease of the blood (contained and treated mainly by bloodletting and radiation therapy);
  4. malignant lymphomas and other tumors - are treated under the supervision of an oncologist;
  5. Essential thrombocythemia is a benign tumor of the blood that can be contained and treated therapeutically.

That is, thrombocytosis most often occurs in oncology and benign tumors in the hematopoietic system.

Particular attention during the treatment process should be paid to overcoming the development of possible complications, primarily arterial ischemia, thrombosis, hemorrhages (hemorrhages).

Reactive thrombocytosis

Reactive thrombocytosis is a diagnosis in which an increased level of platelets in the blood is detected as a result of the development of other diseases (therefore it is often called secondary thrombocytosis).

This is usually a benign disease in which the hematopoietic system is not affected, and the platelets themselves do not change their shape and continue to perform their intended functions.

Causes and treatment of reactive thrombocytosis

There can be many reasons for the occurrence of reactive thrombocytosis:

Diagnosis and treatment of reactive thrombocytosis

Thrombocytosis in a child cannot be detected visually - an increased platelet count in a child is determined only during a blood test performed during a preventive examination or during the diagnosis of other diseases.

Reactive thrombocytosis is not an independent disease, so its cause must be treated first.

However, with a very high platelet count (more than 500 thousand in 1 μl), it is possible to take medications and traditional medicine to reduce their number. In addition, it is important to monitor the health of the patient (especially children), as internal bleeding may occur.

Most cases of reactive thrombocytosis occur in young children, especially those between 9 and 21 months of age.

Most often, the treatment prognosis is favorable: eliminating the causes of increased platelet formation allows a complete cure, with no consequences (thrombosis) occurring.

Analysis for thrombophilia in the article below.

Treatment of thrombocytosis at home

Treatment of thrombocytosis should be carried out only under the supervision of a doctor and according to the procedures prescribed by him.

Since treatment can be done not only in a hospital, but also at home, you need to think about how to help the body in addition to medications.

First of all, it is proper nutrition (food and drink) using herbal medicine.

Diet for thrombocytosis

With thrombocytosis, just a healthy diet is not enough. A person should consume foods high in vitamins (primarily group B, especially B 12), magnesium (prevents the formation of blood clots) and help thin the blood and resolve blood clots, as well as receive a sufficient amount of fluid.

Thus, it is advisable to include in the diet of sick children and adults:

In this case, you need to extremely reduce, or better yet, abandon prohibited products:

This diet is needed for a very short period of time (usually from three days to two weeks).

Do not forget that the diet must be agreed upon with a hematologist, since a number of healthy foods (for example, nuts, pomegranate) can provoke a decrease in blood clotting, which can be hazardous to health.

Treatment with folk remedies

Traditional medicine is used primarily to thin the blood.

Ginger tea. Pour a tablespoon of grated ginger root into a glass of boiling water and cook for 5 minutes over low heat. Add a spoonful of cane sugar or honey. Drink in small portions throughout the day. For children, the norm should be reduced by 2 times or agreed with a hematologist. For children and adults under 40 years of age, it is better to finish taking them before 17:00, and for those over 40, it is better to start at lunchtime and finish an hour before bedtime. Take every other day, or according to the 3 days on/2 days off schedule.

Mulberry root decoction. Pour 200 g of roots with 3 liters of boiling water and cook for 15 minutes. Strain, take 1 glass 3 times a day. You can repeat the course no earlier than a week after finishing the previous one.

Garlic tincture (adults only). Peel 2 heads of garlic, crush, pour in 1 glass of vodka, leave for 1 month, take 1/2 tsp twice a day. until the tincture runs out. A repeat course may be required only for primary thrombocytosis, but not earlier than a month after the end of the previous one.

Sweet clover infusion. Brew a teaspoon of pharmaceutical herb with 1 cup of boiling water, cover with a towel, leave for 30 minutes. Take small portions throughout the day for 3 weeks daily. For primary thrombocytosis, you can repeat the course 3-4 times a year.

Platelets are blood cells responsible for the process of blood clotting, as well as participating in the healing and regeneration of damaged tissue. An increase in their number is called thrombocytosis. The reasons for the development of this disease may be different. This condition can occur in both adults and children. In the early stages, the pathology does not affect the patient’s well-being in any way and is often detected by chance. However, thrombocytosis may be a sign of a serious illness, the treatment of which should not be delayed.

Human blood consists of plasma and the so-called formed elements: red blood cells, leukocytes and platelets.

Platelets (blood platelets) are formed in the red bone marrow. These are anucleate cells of round or oval shape, their sizes are 2-5 microns. The average lifespan of blood platelets is 10 days; old and damaged platelets are destroyed in the spleen and bone marrow.

The main function of platelets is to prevent blood loss (for example, during injuries): they are deposited on the damaged surface due to their ability to adhere (glue) and participate in the formation of a blood clot that closes the lumen of the vessel. In addition, platelets take part in the regeneration of the vascular wall, releasing substances that stimulate cell division and growth (so-called growth factors).

Functions of blood platelets - video

Norms of platelet content in blood - table

A change in platelet count can have serious consequences. When the level of blood platelets decreases, thrombocytopenia occurs, the risk of hemorrhages (including cerebral hemorrhages), bruises increases, and even minor bleeding becomes dangerous.

If the number of blood platelets increases, thrombocytosis is diagnosed. The main danger is the risk of blood clots (thrombi) forming in the circulatory system, which can lead to blockage of the vessel and death of the patient.

An increase in the number of platelets is detected in both women and men with the same frequency; the likelihood of getting sick increases significantly in people over 50 years of age, but infants can also encounter pathology. Also at risk are persons suffering from iron deficiency anemia, patients after operations and injuries, and patients with oncology.

Thrombocytosis can be clonal, or primary, i.e., occur regardless of the presence of other diseases, or secondary (acquired).

Primary thrombocytosis (essential thrombocythemia)

The clonal form occurs due to tumor damage to bone marrow stem cells. Sensitivity to thrombopoietin increases, and an uncontrolled process of formation of defective platelets begins.

Essential thrombocytosis is a consequence of increased production of megakaryocytes, from which platelets arise. Despite the normal life expectancy, the blood platelets become large and fill the vessels, forming clots. In addition to the formation of blood clots, the risk of bleeding increases, as platelets lose the ability to fully stick together and stop blood loss. Frequent complications are heart attacks, strokes, and gastric bleeding. Most often, the pathology is found in elderly people over 60 years of age and is extremely rarely detected in children and adolescents. Refers to myeloproliferative diseases that occur due to a violation of the hematopoietic functions of the bone marrow. Only 10% of all cases belong to the primary form.

The exact causes of the primary form of the disease are not fully understood. According to one version, a mutation in the V617F gene leads to disruption of platelet synthesis.

Secondary thrombocytosis: the role of oncology in the development of pathology

The secondary (reactive) type of disease is a consequence of a person’s lifestyle and diseases. Among the factors that provoke its occurrence are:

The main symptom is an increased level of platelets in the blood. It is often discovered by chance during a routine examination. At the first stages, the patient may not feel any changes in his well-being, but over time the following symptoms appear:

  • frequent headaches;
  • nasal, uterine and stomach bleeding;
  • weakness, decreased energy, drowsiness and irritability;
  • blood clot formation;
  • numbness of the limbs;
  • pain in fingers and toes;
  • decreased vision;
  • bleeding gums;
  • blue discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes;
  • vegetative-vascular dystonia;
  • the appearance of bruises from minor injuries;
  • long wound healing;
  • dyspnea;
  • enlarged spleen;
  • swelling.

Every year, up to 100 thousand Russians die due to blood clots.

Clinical picture of the child

In children, the manifestations of the pathology are similar to those in adults: bruises are often observed after light touches, hands and feet are cold, the child complains of headaches and itchy skin, blood pressure can vary from low to high, and the pulse increases.

To make a diagnosis, the doctor will first collect the patient’s medical history and find out information about previous cases of blood clots and blood circulation disorders.

Blood tests and leukocyte count are carried out to determine the level of platelets, biochemical analysis to detect markers of the inflammatory process, infectious and rheumatic diseases.

Using ultrasound, fibrocolonoscopy and x-rays, the patient is examined for the presence of tumor formations in the lungs, gastrointestinal tract and other organs.

A very important diagnostic method is a red bone marrow biopsy (trepanobiopsy). A 2 mm diameter needle is used with a small spiral that penetrates the bone. Under local anesthesia, a puncture is performed at the border of the lumbar and gluteal region, a tissue sample up to 10 cm long is removed. The structure and functioning of the bone marrow is studied, the structure of cells is examined to identify tumor formations.

Indicators for differential diagnosis of clonal and reactive thrombocytosis - table

and with remnants of old platelets

A hematologist is a specialist in blood diseases. Only he will be able to correctly select treatment methods for the patient based on the type of disease and individual data of the person. Under no circumstances should you self-medicate.

Drug therapy

The clonal form is often treated with antiplatelet drugs that help reduce blood viscosity. Such means include:

Aspirin is not prescribed if there are peptic ulcers of the stomach and intestines, gastritis. The drug is also contraindicated for children, including infants.

The drug Anagrelide reduces the synthesis of megakaryocytes in the red bone marrow. The effect of taking it is not permanent and gradually disappears after discontinuation of the medication.

The reactive form of the pathology is often cured after treatment of the underlying disease that caused the increase in the number of platelets. At the same time, medications can be prescribed to reduce the level of blood platelets.

Only a doctor can decide how long the therapy will last and what medications will be prescribed. Self-medication is dangerous!

Photo gallery of medicines

Diet

It is very important not only to start eating right, but also to eat B vitamins, magnesium and drink enough water (which cannot be said about coffee - you should avoid the drink).

The following products are recommended for use:

  • tomatoes, cabbage, celery;
  • sour berries and citrus fruits;
  • garlic, onion;
  • seaweed;
  • peas, beans;
  • oatmeal;
  • seafood;
  • sea ​​fish, cod liver;
  • fish fat;
  • almonds, pine nuts;
  • olive, flaxseed, amaranth and other vegetable oils;
  • compotes, fruit drinks, green tea and clean drinking water.

During treatment, you should completely avoid fatty and fried foods, walnuts, bananas, buckwheat, nicotine and alcohol.

Folk remedies

The main purpose of using folk remedies is to thin the blood to prevent the formation of blood clots. It is worth remembering that this is only an auxiliary measure, but not the main one. The use of herbal preparations must be agreed with the attending physician, as there are many contraindications. You should not eat nettle, yarrow and chokeberry (chokeberry). Chokeberry stops bleeding by thickening the blood, which is contraindicated in thrombocytosis.

Ginger tea

Ginger tea can thin the blood.

Garlic tincture

Take a couple of heads of garlic, chop them and add 250 ml of vodka. Leave in a glass jar in a dark place for 30 days. Take half a teaspoon twice a day until the end of the tincture. Can be diluted with honey or orange juice.

Mulberry root decoction

This remedy is quite easy to prepare.

  1. Take mulberry roots and grind them using a blender or grater.
  2. Pour three liters of water into a saucepan, add 100 g of chopped roots and, after boiling, leave on low heat for 10–15 minutes.
  3. Let the broth cool and strain it.

Drink a glass before each meal for five days. Take a break for three days and repeat the dose. Store the broth in the refrigerator.

Chestnut peel tincture

Pour 50 g of fresh green horse chestnut peel into 0.5 liters of vodka, place in a glass container and leave in a dark place for two weeks. Strain the resulting tincture and before each meal, mix 40 drops with two tablespoons of water and half a spoon of honey. The course of treatment is three weeks.

Orange juice

Drink 100 ml of freshly squeezed orange juice every day for two weeks. You can use a whole orange instead of juice. This method can help cope with increased blood viscosity and can be used even by young children.

Thrombocytopheresis

Thrombocytopheresis is aimed at cleansing the blood of excess platelets using special medical equipment. This is an emergency method of therapy when the degree of development of thrombosis threatens the patient’s life.

Hirudotherapy

Hirudotherapy - treatment with leeches. It is necessary to find a highly qualified specialist. A special enzyme, hirudin, secreted by worms after a bite, can reduce the concentration of blood, significantly thinning it and preventing the formation of blood clots.

The prognosis for this disease is favorable. The life expectancy of patients remains virtually unchanged. However, the pathology can cause death due to the increased risk of blood clots. Only in 2% of cases the disease transforms into leukemia. Thrombocytosis increases the likelihood of a missed abortion and also reduces the chances of successful IVF.

Disability can be diagnosed based on certain criteria and the severity of the disease. It is necessary to undergo annual commissions to confirm the assigned group. If the condition is cured or improved, the disability may be removed.

In most cases, the disease could have been avoided. You should avoid actions that provoke blood thickening and problems with hematopoiesis:

  • increase physical activity and give up bad habits;
  • drink the required amount of clean drinking water daily;
  • try to include foods containing B vitamins in your diet;
  • Eliminate foods that thicken your blood from your diet.

In some cases, elderly people are prescribed prophylactic aspirin.

Despite the likelihood of complications, you can get rid of thrombocytosis if you follow all the measures prescribed by your doctor. It is necessary to carefully monitor your diet, daily routine, eliminate provoking factors and follow the medication regimen.

The material is published for informational purposes only and under no circumstances can it be considered a substitute for medical consultation with a specialist in a medical institution. The site administration is not responsible for the results of using the posted information. For questions of diagnosis and treatment, as well as prescribing medications and determining their dosage regimen, we recommend that you consult a doctor.

We tell you how to reduce platelets in the blood

Platelets are nuclear-free microscopic elements of blood that are responsible for its viscosity and regulate the processes of regeneration of damaged areas of blood vessels. The process of platelet synthesis occurs in the bone marrow. Their lifespan is 5-8 days, after which the old cells are disposed of by the spleen, allowing new young cells to fully perform their functions. By determining the number of platelets in a general blood test, you can learn about the presence of inflammatory processes in the body, as well as the progression of various diseases that do not have external manifestations. In the presence of an increased platelet index, the blood becomes thicker, and the risks of developing thrombosis, in which blood clots (thrombi) can disrupt natural blood flow, are extremely high. We will learn further how to reduce the number of platelets produced.

Signs of elevated levels and its diagnosis

With primary thrombocytosis, which has no connection with the presence of chronic diseases and pathologies, an increased number of platelets cannot be determined by symptoms. A general blood test, for which blood is taken from a finger, will help with this.

Secondary (dependent) thrombocytosis is determined by an increase in already existing symptoms of existing diseases:

  • bleeding from the nose;
  • weakness;
  • drowsiness;
  • deterioration of general condition.

The platelet count is several times higher than the maximum permissible values ​​if there are extensive inflammatory processes in the body (chronic type), and there is also extensive blood loss (during surgery or injury).

Diagnosis can be carried out in two ways: a general blood test and a detailed one. The latter may display other indicators that indicate the presence of health problems. In most cases, an elevated platelet level, in which other indicators remain normal, is a sign of improper preparation for the analysis.

Norms and deviations

Platelet count indicators depend on parameters such as:

For a healthy person of reproductive age (20-50 years), the platelet count vmkr/l is normal. For women, this indicator shifts slightly to the left, allowing for a point difference. Children have their own standards, different for each age.

Indicators exceeding μR/l, or not reaching 180 μR/l, must be corrected using all available methods.

If it is easier to bring a reduced level to normal, then an increase in the platelet index causes many problems, putting the heart and the entire vascular system in danger.

Ways to reduce

Since the quantitative and qualitative composition is influenced not only by the food consumed and lifestyle, the number of platelets should be reduced in a comprehensive manner.

Drug treatment

There are a number of drugs that can thin the blood by affecting platelet concentration. The most effective medications include the following:

  1. Aspirin - prevents platelet cells from sticking together, which prevents the formation of blood clots. Contraindicated for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (ulcers, erosions, colitis, peritonitis), as well as for those with a tendency to bleeding. Capable of developing allergic reactions. The average price per package is rubles.
  2. Warfarin - reduces blood viscosity by suppressing the synthesis of anticoagulants, which in turn regulate the active production of platelets. Contraindicated in the presence of chronic diseases of the hematopoietic system, dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system, as well as in the postoperative period. Its cost is rubles.
  3. Thrombo ACC is a new generation drug (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), the spectrum of action of which is multifaceted: it blocks the synthesis of thromboxane, reduces the production of prostaglandins, and prevents platelet aggregation. It is particularly effective in the presence of thrombocytosis. Contraindicated in case of bleeding disorders, as well as in the presence of chronic diseases of the liver, kidneys, pancreas and spleen. The price in pharmacies is rubles.
  4. Clopidogrel - affects the process of binding platelets to each other, as a result of which most of the non-nucleated particles are excreted through the liver and spleen. Contraindicated only for people who have hypersensitivity to the components of the drug. In other cases, the development of adverse reactions was not recorded. The average price is 250 rubles.
  5. Trental is a complex drug that helps not only reduce blood viscosity, but also facilitate its passage throughout the entire circulatory system. Has a protective effect on the myocardium. Contraindicated in the presence of heavy bleeding, and also not used in the rehabilitation period after a stroke or heart attack.

ethnoscience

Treatment with folk remedies includes the following recipes:

  1. Ginger root is ground in a meat grinder to a paste. Combine in equal proportions with natural bee honey, then stir well and put in the refrigerator for 3 days. Take 1 tablespoon on an empty stomach with a small amount of water. The course of treatment is 10 days, after which a break is taken. Honey and ginger are strong allergens, so if you have an allergic reaction, it is better to do a test before starting treatment.
  2. Brew the leaves of Ginkgo Biloba, as indicated on the packaging of the medicinal mixture, leave for minutes. Drink half a glass twice a day.
  3. Add 5 cloves of garlic, previously minced in a meat grinder, to 100 ml of vodka. Infuse for 2 weeks in a dark place, after which drink 1 teaspoon before each meal.

Nutritional Features

A list of foods that help reduce platelet production and speed up their metabolism:

  • fresh fruits and vegetables corresponding to the season and place of growth (except bananas, rowan berries and lentils);
  • ginger, celery, garlic onion;
  • cherry, black currant, rose hips;
  • olive and linseed oil;
  • fish (mostly sea);
  • chocolate with high cocoa content;
  • lemon, cranberry.

Acidified berry fruit drinks help get rid of excessive platelet production. It is also important to maintain water balance by drinking at least 2 liters of water per day. If you are overweight, this figure is increased to 3 liters. Pure still water can naturally thin the blood, without the participation of other components.

Particular attention should be paid to bad habits, especially excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages and smoking. By giving up bad habits, you can not only prolong your life and improve your health, but also overcome elevated platelet levels.

other methods

The thrombocytophoresis procedure involves the artificial purification of blood by distilling it through a separator apparatus capable of retaining platelets and neutralizing them, after which pure blood is introduced back into the body.

This measure is forced and is used only when surgical intervention is planned, or the patient’s condition, despite taking medications, has sharply worsened.

Prevention methods

If a person has chronic diseases or a tendency to thrombocytosis, constant prevention is required, which consists of the following techniques:

  1. Eat rationally using the above recommendations.
  2. Drinking plenty of fluids, which in itself thins the blood.
  3. Undergo preventive examination 2 times a year.
  4. Do not refuse treatment recommended by doctors.
  5. Do not use blood-thinning medications without a doctor's prescription, as this can lead to severe internal bleeding and death.

Thus, thrombocytosis is quite treatable, but it will be pointless if the patient does not follow a diet and maintain fluid balance. Only an integrated approach will reduce the risk of developing thrombocytosis, as well as quickly reduce the number of platelets, bringing their indicator to normal.

How do people and medications reduce platelets in the blood?

Blood is the only tissue in the body with the ability to rapidly change structure at the cellular level. Therefore, a general blood test is a fundamental component of diagnostic measures in identifying pathologies.

Important! A sharp increase in the concentration of blood platelets is not always a sign of pathology. This condition is typical for older people and those who abuse alcoholic beverages. But thrombocytosis can cause the appearance of wandering blood clots, dangerous to health and human life. The question of how to reduce platelets in the blood is important for everyone.

What are the causes of increased blood cells in the body?

Injuries and wounds that lead to blood loss can cause an increase in blood cells. Any operations, alcohol abuse, consumption of huge amounts of salt are prerequisites for an increase in platelet levels in the blood.

How to lower platelets in the blood with drug therapy?

There are a lot of pharmaceuticals that reduce platelets in the blood:

  1. Aspirin helps prevent platelet plates from sticking together, which prevents blood clots from forming. The drug is prohibited for pathological changes in the gastrointestinal tract, for example: ulcers or peritonitis, for people predisposed to bleeding. The medicine may cause an allergic reaction.
  2. Warfarin is responsible for reducing blood viscosity by suppressing the synthesis of anticoagulants. The latter help regulate the activity of blood platelet production. You should not prescribe the medicine in case of pathology of the hematopoietic system, functional failures of the musculoskeletal system and in the postoperative period.
  3. Thrombo ACC is an ultra-modern medicine with a versatility of action. This is blocking the synthesis of thromboxane, preventing the aggregation of blood cells and reducing the formation of prostaglandites. The medicine should not be prescribed for poor blood clotting and chronic pathology of the liver, kidneys and spleen.
  4. Clopidogrel affects the interaction of blood cells with each other, which leads to the release of more plates through the kidneys and spleen. The medicine has no contraindications, with the exception of individual intolerance to individual components.
  5. Trental provides an integrated approach to the implementation of drug therapy. In this case, it will be possible to reduce the level of blood viscosity and improve the process of its passage through the vessels. The drug cannot be used for bleeding, rehabilitation after cerebral stroke and myocardial infarction.

What foods and medications are important to reduce if the platelet count in the blood is high?

The following foods are prohibited:

You need to be careful when using certain pharmaceutical drugs. Most diuretic, contraceptive and hormonal drugs have the ability to increase blood viscosity. Therefore, when the concentration of blood cells in the blood is low, they should be used under the supervision of a physician.

The dietary menu for thrombocytosis involves decoctions and tinctures based on nettle, celery, peony root, ginger and cinquefoil.

How to lower the level of platelets in the blood using folk remedies?

In addition to a diet with elevated platelets, folk methods help reduce the concentration of blood platelets. They can be used at home, increase or decrease the amount of decoction (tincture) depending on the indications. It is important to first consult with your doctor about prescribing a decoction or tincture.

Common options that can lower the concentration of platelets in the blood include:

  • A decoction of mulberry roots is prepared as follows: wash and chop the mulberry roots; pour water and place on medium heat; in 20 minutes. Remove the boil from the stove and let it brew; After cooling, apply three times a day. After five days of treatment, take a three-day break and repeat cyclically.
  • Juice from wine grapes reduces the content of blood platelets in the blood. To do this, put the juice on low heat and simmer until it reduces in volume by a third. Drink 250 ml of this wine juice per day, sweeten it with honey if desired.
  • Freshly brewed cocoa without sugar on an empty stomach is an excellent opportunity to normalize platelet counts in the blood and help the nervous system.
  • Ginger is responsible for stimulating metabolic processes in the body and helping to thin the blood, whether it is powdered as a spice or as a root to add to tea.
  • A tincture based on ginkgo biloba helps to establish normal blood flow and dilute blood clots, increases the chance of recovery and normalization of blood cells. To do this, infuse 50 g of herb in 500 ml of alcohol for two weeks. Use tincture 1 tsp. per day half an hour before meals. Treatment lasts 30 days. If desired, repeat after six months as a preventive measure to prevent relapse.

How to reduce platelets in the blood thanks to a diet menu?

To reduce the concentration of platelets in the blood, it is important to avoid drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking. After all, they have an unfavorable effect on the organs of the human body. It is advised to avoid foods rich in carbohydrates. After all, they promote the formation of uric acid, which is associated with the concentration of platelets in the plasma.

Dietary nutrition for elevated platelets requires the use of special foods. They will help the blood normalize viscosity and avoid blood clots.

Products that lower blood platelets:

Preventive actions

For a person prone to increased platelet levels in the blood, it is necessary to follow the rules:

  1. Diet menu and proper nutrition.
  2. Drink plenty of fluids to thin the blood.
  3. Visit your doctor once every six months to monitor platelet levels in your blood.
  4. Be sure to follow the recommendations of a specialist, especially when it comes to drug treatment.
  5. Do not take pharmaceutical drugs that thin the blood unless prescribed by your doctor. Otherwise, bleeding may occur that cannot be stopped.

Any platelet deviation from the norm requires special measures. This could be medication or simply diet. The main thing is not to remain idle and constantly monitor the concentration of blood cells in the plasma.

An increased level of platelets in the blood is called thrombocytosis.

The causes of this pathology can be a variety of factors. Determining the type and treatment of thrombocytosis depends on the reason for the increase in platelet levels in the blood.

A platelet is a blood cell responsible for blood clotting. The normal number of platelets in the blood of adults averages from two hundred to four hundred thousand units per cubic milliliter of blood. If this indicator increases (five hundred thousand or more), then we are talking about pathology.

Clonal and primary thrombocytosis are considered one of the most dangerous types, as they are caused by disorders associated with bone marrow stem cells. It is stem cells that are responsible for the production of platelets and their entry into the blood.

In the case of clonal thrombocytosis, the pathology is caused by defective (usually tumor) processes in stem cells, and they begin to uncontrollably produce large amounts of platelets.

In this case, the produced cells are unhealthy and cannot function properly. As a result, their interaction with other blood cells is disrupted, and for this reason, thrombus formation processes do not proceed correctly.

Primary thrombocytosis (or essential thrombocythemia) causes disruption of stem cells, which is associated with their proliferation, which creates additional sources of platelet production.

As with clonal thrombocytosis, essential thrombocythemia involves defective cells produced with an inability to function properly. Moreover, the platelets themselves are abnormally large.

With these types of pathologies, a blood test often detects platelet aggregation, that is, their sticking together, which means the risk of blood clots.

The likelihood of developing clonal or primary thrombocytosis is high in people over fifty years of age; young people and children are usually not susceptible to this deviation.

The symptoms of thrombocytosis caused by dysfunction of stem cells are quite pronounced.

The main signs of thrombus formation disorders include:

  • frequent bleeding (nasal, uterine, gastrointestinal, etc.) and the anemia caused by them;
  • blue or black spots on the skin;
  • subcutaneous hemorrhages;
  • vegetative-vascular dystonia and its symptoms (cold extremities, headaches, tachycardia, unstable blood pressure, etc.);
  • venous or arterial thrombosis;
  • enlarged spleen (splenomegaly);
  • in rare cases - gangrene.

Treatment of these types of thrombocytosis proceeds according to the recommendations of a hematologist. As a rule, he prescribes antiplatelet drugs (acetylsalicylic acid, Ticlopidine, etc.).

It is not recommended to take these drugs on your own, since only a doctor can calculate the dosage and course of treatment appropriate to the patient’s age and complexion.

Secondary thrombocytosis

An increased content of platelets in the blood can be caused by reasons not related to disorders of hematopoietic processes. This pathology is called secondary thrombocytosis.

When diagnosed with secondary thrombocytosis, the causes can be very diverse.

These include:

  • surgical intervention;
  • serious injuries (wounds, fractures);
  • chemotherapy performed;
  • iron deficiency in the body;
  • inflammation of various organs and tissues;
  • cancer;
  • removal of the spleen (this organ is the site of decay of obsolete platelets, so its removal provokes uncontrolled growth of platelets with a general decrease in blood volume);
  • infections (especially meningococcal);
  • viruses;
  • fungus;
  • taking certain medications;
  • pregnancy.

All cases, except pregnancy, are subject to treatment under medical supervision. After eliminating the cause of thrombocytosis, the blood test should not contain more than 450 thousand platelets.

Thrombocytosis during pregnancy is not considered a significant deviation, as it is explained by a radical restructuring of the entire body, a change in hormonal levels.

As a rule, correction of the number of platelets in the blood of a pregnant woman is carried out only in cases where there are too many platelets (about one million per milliliter).

In other cases, thrombocytosis is simply monitored by a hematologist throughout pregnancy.

Symptoms of secondary thrombocytosis are similar to the symptoms of primary thrombocytosis, that is, the patient experiences nasal, uterine, gastric, and renal bleeding, traces of subcutaneous hemorrhages appear, and vascular thrombosis is possible.

Treatment of secondary thrombocytosis must be based on the principle of eliminating the disease that caused the increased platelet content in the blood.

For infectious, fungal, and viral diseases, the doctor prescribes treatment with antibiotics and antibacterial and antifungal drugs. Inflammatory processes require similar treatment.

Reactive thrombocytosis

It is possible to increase the level of healthy, non-defective platelets. In this case, the cause is nonspecific activation of the hormone responsible for the formation and entry of platelets into the blood. This hormone is called thrombopoietin.

With an increase in thrombopoietin activity, a large number of platelets are released into the circulatory system. The platelets are of normal size and function correctly.

The causes of this pathology can be traumatic disorders in the body, such as:

  • surgical intervention;
  • wounds with heavy blood loss;
  • extreme physical activity (overload).

The second group of causes of reactive thrombocytosis are a variety of infectious and viral diseases, inflammation and chronic diseases.

Most often these include:

  • pulmonary diseases (tuberculosis, pneumonia);
  • anemia (anemia);
  • rheumatism;
  • cancer diseases;
  • inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.

It is important to distinguish reactive thrombocytosis from primary or clonal thrombocytosis. In the case of the first, there are no pronounced bleedings (they occur only with rare exceptions), there is no splenomegaly and vascular thrombosis.

When analyzing blood, to distinguish between these pathologies, a biochemical blood test, ultrasound, and a history of chronic diseases are collected.

In addition, the hematologist may order a bone marrow biopsy to rule out the possibility of primary or clonal thrombocytosis.

Reactive thrombocytosis itself does not pose such a danger as its other types. For example, with this deviation, the risk of thromboembolism (blockage of a vessel by a detached blood clot) is excluded; in addition, the patient’s general well-being does not deteriorate as much as with primary thrombocytosis.

Despite the sluggish manifestation of the symptoms of this pathology, doctors are quite successful in diagnosing it using various studies.

For mild reactive thrombocytosis (not higher than 600 thousand), doctors carry out treatment that eliminates the cause of the increased platelet count without affecting the hematopoietic process itself. That is, treatment of infections or inflammations is prescribed.

With proper therapy, reactive thrombocytosis can be eliminated within two to three weeks without risk to the patient.

Thrombocytosis in a child

Thrombocytosis can also occur in children. Moreover, the normal number of platelets in the blood depends on the age of the child.

In children under one year old, a healthy indicator is considered to be 100–350 thousand; in older children, the norm is equal to the norm of an adult.

In teenage girls during the first menstrual cycle, a low platelet count is possible (the minimum healthy index is 80 thousand).

In children with thrombocytosis, symptoms may not appear immediately, but if there are frequent nosebleeds, increased fatigue, or dizziness, the child should be shown to a doctor.

Taking blood tests in any case will not be superfluous, since the cause of the malaise can be identified, which is most likely associated with disturbances in the composition of the blood or the functioning of blood cells.

Since a small child cannot talk about his unhealthy condition, it is recommended to donate blood for a general analysis at least once every six months.

Thrombocytosis in children can be caused by a number of reasons and is associated with the same disorders and diseases as in adults.

Primary thrombocytosis in young children is most often the result of hereditary or acquired hematological diseases (leukemia, erythremia, etc.).

Secondary thrombocytosis develops against the background of infectious diseases (meningitis, pneumonia, hepatitis) or after injuries and surgical operations. Often the reason for an increase in platelet levels in the blood is surgery to remove the spleen.

Treatment of a child with a secondary type of pathology depends on what disease it was caused by.

Doctors usually prescribe special nutrition, antibacterial drugs and folk remedies to eliminate the source of infection.

In cases of significant blood loss or after removal of the spleen, doctors prescribe special blood thinners to children.

Treatment of primary thrombocytosis is a rather complex and lengthy process that requires constant medical supervision of a small patient.

Under no circumstances should you make your own decisions about the treatment of your baby, much less choose medications for him.

Typically, parental participation in the treatment of a child should consist of following dietary recommendations and protecting the child from stress and illness.

Treatment and diet

Of course, if thrombocytosis is detected, the patient’s treatment depends entirely on the doctor’s recommendations. It is strongly not recommended to solve this problem yourself.

First, the hematologist monitors the patient throughout the illness to monitor the situation.

In many cases, a daily blood test is required, in addition, the doctor may prescribe various tests (ultrasound or biopsy) during therapy.

Secondly, primary or clonal thrombocythemia may require prevention or timely elimination of its consequences (ischemia or infarction of internal organs). For this, doctors prescribe special drugs - anticoagulants.

Thirdly, in the absence of positive treatment results, the hematologist may prescribe special procedures such as thrombocytophoresis (artificial removal of excess platelets from the blood) or cytostatic therapy.

As an auxiliary component of treatment, the doctor may recommend hirudotherapy (leech treatment).

Hirudotherapy is possible only if there is no risk of internal bleeding.

Along with drug treatment, a special diet must be followed. Products that contribute to blood thickening should be excluded from the patient’s menu: fatty meats, bananas, rose hips, chokeberries, bird cherry berries, nuts (especially walnuts), lentils, buckwheat and semolina.

It is advisable to give up junk food - smoked foods, fried foods, processed foods, carbonated drinks.

The diet for thrombocytosis involves an abundance of foods containing iodine, calcium, magnesium and B vitamins and vitamin C.

These products include:

  • seaweed;
  • cashews and almonds;
  • fish and fish oil;
  • vegetable oils (especially flaxseed and olive);
  • fresh and sauerkraut;
  • all types of citrus fruits;
  • onion and garlic;
  • chicken and beef liver, heart, lung;
  • some berries: lingonberries, currants, viburnum (summer is a great time to prepare them for future use);
  • ginger;
  • tomatoes and tomato juice;
  • dairy and fermented milk products and drinks.

Any diagnosis related to abnormalities in blood cell counts is subject to complex treatment with medications and diet. Otherwise, the treatment may not bring the desired result.

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People often ask: “thrombocytosis causes and treatment” - let’s figure out what this attack is and how to deal with it. In this article you will find answers to the questions: causes, classification, symptoms and treatment of thrombocytosis.

Knowledge Base: Thrombocytosis

What is thrombocytosis? This is a diagnosis showing that a person’s blood contains

Why is this dangerous? First of all, thrombocytosis shows that the risk of thrombosis and bleeding is increased.

The number of platelets in 1 μl (microliter, that is, 1 cubic millimeter) of blood is considered normal, ideally 250-300 thousand/μl, but there may be exceptions:

  1. at night in all people and on the days of menstruation in women, their level decreases significantly (by 20-50%) - and this is also normal;
  2. when a child is born, his platelet count can fluctuate within wider limits - 80-500 thousand/μl. In this range, blood is considered normal - within a week their number will change and become the same as in adults.

At thrombocytosis the number of platelets can be more than a million in 1 μl of blood.

The causes of thrombocytosis vary depending on its type. It happens:

  1. primary - with rare exceptions, it mainly affects people over 60 years of age (1 case per 11 million children occurs in infants, and even less frequently in adults under 60 years of age);
  2. secondary(reactive) - in most cases (99.9%), although it occasionally occurs in adults.

Primary thrombocytosis

What is thrombocytosis and how does it manifest?

Inside the cavities of many human bones is red bone marrow, which contains hematopoietic stem cells. It is from them that all the blood that is in the body of any of us is subsequently formed.

If the work of these stem cells is disrupted, then blood begins to be produced incorrectly (myeloproliferative syndrome) - too many platelets are thrown into the blood, and the platelets themselves can be deformed.

As a result of such disturbances, bleeding may begin in the blood vessels, and with deformed platelets, bleeding may occur. Such violations are called primary thrombocytosis.

The disease develops very slowly, sometimes over many years.

Symptoms and diagnosis of primary thrombocytosis

There is no need to talk about external symptoms of thrombocytosis.

In different people, they may look like symptoms of completely different diseases:

  • anemia;
  • feeling of fullness in the abdomen;
  • gout and other joint pains;
  • migraine;
  • skin itching;
  • blood clots in blood vessels;
  • enlarged liver or spleen;
  • exposure to infectious diseases;
  • bleeding of the skin, gastrointestinal tract, etc.;
  • fatigue, shortness of breath, spots before the eyes, etc.

The presence of primary thrombocytosis itself is revealed only in laboratory studies. Even a general blood test will help identify abnormalities, and then the doctor may prescribe additional tests.

Causes and treatment of primary thrombocytosis

Causes of thrombocytosis may be different, but the main one is excessive cell division (proliferation) as a result of the development of mainly cancer in the hematopoietic system (hematopoiesis, mutation and transformation) of stem cells.

Treatment is carried out by a hematologist.

Depending on the causes of the disease, medication or other treatment is prescribed:

  1. chronic myeloid leukemia (chronic myeloid leukemia) is a malignant blood disease (if detected in a timely manner, it is quite successfully treated or at least significantly contained);
  2. idiopathic myeloid leukemia () - a disease that causes scar formation in the bone marrow and disruption of the process of normal hematopoiesis (treated mainly with radiation therapy, there are also foreign inhibitory drugs that are not registered in Russia);
  3. true (primary) polycythemia - a benign or malignant tumor disease of the blood (contained and treated mainly by bloodletting and radiation therapy);
  4. malignant lymphomas and other tumors - are treated under the supervision of an oncologist;
  5. - a benign tumor disease of the blood that is amenable to therapeutic containment and treatment.

That is, thrombocytosis most often occurs in oncology and benign tumors in the hematopoietic system.

Particular attention during the treatment process should be paid to overcoming the development of possible complications, primarily arterial ischemia, thrombosis, hemorrhages (hemorrhages).

Reactive thrombocytosis

Reactive thrombocytosis is a diagnosis in which an increased level of platelets in the blood is detected as a result of the development of other diseases (therefore it is often called secondary thrombocytosis).

This is usually a benign disease in which the hematopoietic system does not suffer, and the platelets themselves do not change their shape and continue to perform their duties.

Causes and treatment of reactive thrombocytosis

There can be many reasons for the occurrence of reactive thrombocytosis:

Diagnosis and treatment of reactive thrombocytosis

Thrombocytosis in a child cannot be detected visually - it is determined only during a blood test performed during a preventive examination or during the diagnosis of other diseases.

Reactive thrombocytosis is not an independent disease, so its cause must be treated first.

However, with a very high platelet count (more than 500 thousand in 1 μl), it is possible to take medications and traditional medicine to reduce their number. In addition, it is important to monitor the health of the patient (especially children), as internal bleeding may occur.

Most cases of reactive thrombocytosis occur in young children, especially those between 9 and 21 months of age.

Most often, the treatment prognosis is favorable: eliminating the causes of increased platelet formation allows a complete cure, with no consequences (thrombosis) occurring.

Analysis for thrombophilia in the article below.

Treatment of thrombocytosis at home

Treatment of thrombocytosis should be carried out only under the supervision of a doctor and according to the procedures prescribed by him.

Since treatment can be done not only in a hospital, but also at home, you need to think about how to help the body in addition to medications.

First of all, it is proper nutrition (food and drink) using herbal medicine.

Diet for thrombocytosis

With thrombocytosis, just a healthy diet is not enough. A person must consume foods high in vitamins(primarily groups B, especially B 12), magnesium(preventing the formation of blood clots) and , and receive sufficient amount of liquid.

Traditional medicine is used primarily to thin the blood.

Ginger tea. Pour a tablespoon of grated ginger root into a glass of boiling water and cook for 5 minutes over low heat. Add a spoonful of cane sugar or honey. Drink in small portions throughout the day. For children, the norm should be reduced by 2 times or agreed with a hematologist. For children and adults under 40 years of age, it is better to finish taking them before 17:00, and for those over 40, it is better to start at lunchtime and finish an hour before bedtime. Take every other day, or according to the 3 days on/2 days off schedule.

Mulberry root decoction. Pour 200 g of roots with 3 liters of boiling water and cook for 15 minutes. Strain, take 1 glass 3 times a day. You can repeat the course no earlier than a week after finishing the previous one.

Garlic tincture(adults only). Peel 2 heads of garlic, crush, pour in 1 glass of vodka, leave for 1 month, take 1/2 tsp twice a day. until the tincture runs out. A repeat course may be required only for primary thrombocytosis, but not earlier than a month after the end of the previous one.

Sweet clover infusion. Brew a teaspoon of pharmaceutical herb with 1 cup of boiling water, cover with a towel, leave for 30 minutes. Take small portions throughout the day for 3 weeks daily. For primary thrombocytosis, you can repeat the course 3-4 times a year.

Essential thrombocythemia is a chronic megakaryocytic leukemia related to myeloproliferative diseases. The process involves stem cells in the bone marrow. The disease is by its nature hemoblastosis, that is, tumor. The number of megakaryocytes and then platelets increases uncontrollably. Essential thrombocythemia is quite rare. The prevalence is 3-4 cases per 100 thousand adults. People aged 50-60 years are more susceptible to this disease. Women get sick somewhat more often than men. As with any cancer, the exact causes of essential thrombocythemia are unknown. There is a connection with radiation damage to the environment. The role of other factors cannot be ruled out.

Symptoms of thrombocythemia

The disease is characterized by a long course without visible manifestations. The progression of the disease is slow. Often, months and even years pass from the first recorded changes in blood tests to the appearance of the first complaints. Symptoms of thrombocythemia consist of a simultaneous tendency to form blood clots and bleed. The mechanism of occurrence of these phenomena includes disturbances in platelet aggregation (both upward and downward). Cerebral, coronary and peripheral arterial thrombosis are characteristic. With essential thrombocythemia, pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis of the legs are possible. The most common types of bleeding are gastrointestinal, pulmonary, renal, and skin hemorrhages. In addition, thrombocythemia may cause enlargement of the spleen and liver. These symptoms occur in 50 and 20 percent of patients, respectively. There is numbness and decreased sensitivity in the fingers and toes, earlobes, and tip of the nose, associated with impaired blood circulation in small vessels. Some patients may experience pain in the hypochondrium and along the intestines. Many patients lose weight. Sometimes enlarged groups of lymph nodes appear. There are many nonspecific symptoms of thrombocythemia: general weakness, headache, decreased ability to work, fatigue, itchy skin, frequent mood swings, increased body temperature.

Diagnosis of thrombocythemia

Diagnosis of the disease begins with recording a large number of platelets in a general blood test. The diagnosis is made when thrombocytosis exceeds 600 thousand per microliter after excluding reactive thrombosis. Platelets have varying degrees of functional inferiority. Prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, bleeding time, life time of blood platelets were within normal limits. In the bone marrow, puncture results reveal increased cellularity and megakaryocytosis. Platelet precursor cells are gigantic in size and dysplastic. Not strictly specific genetic abnormalities in essential thrombocythemia are JAK2V617F and MPLW515L/K mutations.

Differential diagnosis of thrombocythemia and secondary thrombosis

It is difficult to distinguish essential thrombocythemia from secondary thrombosis caused by amyloidosis, infection, cancer, or other factors. The American College of Hematology has developed the following criteria for differential diagnosis:

Platelet count more than 600,000 per µl in two consecutive blood tests performed 1 month apart;

No known cause of reactive thrombocytosis;

Normal red blood cell count;

No significant fibrosis in the bone marrow;

Absence of the Philadelphia chromosome;

Enlarged spleen;

Bone marrow hypercellularity with megakaryocyte hyperplasia;

The presence of pathological cells in the form of colonies in the bone marrow;

Normal levels of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6;

Absence of iron deficiency anemia;

In women, there is polymorphism of X chromosome genes.

The more matches found, the more evidence supports essential thrombocythemia.

Treatment of thrombocythemia

If a patient is diagnosed with essential thrombocythemia, then individual treatment should be selected for him in accordance with the existing regimen. Therapy is especially intensive for those who are at risk of thrombosis. Such patients include elderly patients, patients with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Such patients are most often indicated for treatment of thrombocythemia with cytostatics. These are chemotherapy drugs that reduce the activity of cell division. Hydroxyurea (0.5-4 g orally daily) has been used for the treatment of thrombocythemia for a long time and with success. Because of its potential to cause leukemia (eg, acute myeloblastic leukemia), this drug is not prescribed to children.

Thrombocythemia can be treated with interferon-alpha. It is used especially widely in pregnant women, as it does not have a damaging effect on the fetus. In general, the limitation of prescribing interferon-alpha is its high cost and poor tolerability. The initial dose of the drug is 1 million IU three times a week, then the dose is increased to 3-6 million IU three times a week. About 20% of patients are forced to stop treatment because they are very worried about increased body temperature, pain in joints and muscles, nausea, loss of appetite, and flu-like symptoms.

Anagrelide is also used to treat thrombocythemia. This drug selectively inhibits the maturation of megakaryocytes, with little effect on other hematopoietic germs. The initial dose of the drug is 2 mg per day, the maximum is 10 mg. The medicine has side effects related to the cardiovascular system. Characterized by vasodilatation, increased heart rate, and swelling. If the patient already has any heart pathology, then it is not advisable to prescribe anagrelide. Under the influence of the drug, thrombocythemia may transform into myelofibrosis. Because of all these phenomena, anagrelide is used mainly for intolerance to hydroxyurea and interferon-alpha.

It is possible to successfully use thrombopheresis in combination with acetylsalicylic acid (325 mg orally per day) for the prevention of thrombosis in thrombocythemia.

Treatment of essential thrombocythemia with folk remedies

Folk remedies are sometimes used by patients to treat this disease. There are no studies on traditional methods that have proven their effectiveness. Any such methods are used by the patient at his own risk. Most likely, positive changes are associated with the placebo effect, that is, self-hypnosis. It is fundamentally important for the patient to inform the attending physician about what else is used independently to combat the disease. Treatment of essential thrombocythemia with folk remedies includes the use of fasting and various herbal remedies. The most often recommended are infusions of blueberry fruits, mordovnik seeds and a decoction of string.

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