Why does platelet count increase

You get your platelet number from a routine blood test called a complete blood count CBC. When there are symptoms, they include spontaneous blood clots in the arms and legs, which if untreated can lead to heart attack and stroke. In severe cases, the patient might have to undergo a procedure called a platelet pheresis.

This lowers the platelet count by removing the blood, separating out the platelets, and returning the red blood cells back to the body. With secondary thrombocytosis, the symptoms are usually related to the associated condition. For example, if you have an infection or anemia, you treat those conditions and the platelet count comes down. Symptoms include easy bruising, and frequent bleeding from the gums, nose, or GI tract.

Thin blood is the opposite of thick blood, which can increase the risk of blood clots and complications, such as stroke. Thin blood can lead to…. A red cell distribution width RDW blood test can help detect the presence of anemia, along with what could be causing it. The test identifies the…. What do high or low platelet count levels mean? Medically reviewed by J. Keith Fisher, M. Platelet count blood test What to expect Platelet count is high Platelet count is low Takeaway A platelet blood count is a blood test that measures the average number of platelets in the blood.

What is the platelet count test? What to expect. What does it mean when your platelet count is high? Share on Pinterest Platelet levels can temporarily be higher than usual in people recovering from blood loss after surgery.

What does it mean when your platelet count is low? Share on Pinterest Chemotherapy can cause low platelet volume. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. Related Coverage.

What types of blood disorders are there? This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Platelets are blood particles produced in the bone marrow that play an important role in the process of forming blood clots. Essential thrombocythemia.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Tefferi A. Approach to the patient with thrombocytosis. Accessed July 31, Thrombocythemia and thrombocytosis. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Essential thrombocythemia adult. I Accept Show Purposes. Myleoproliferative Disorders. The 8 Types of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms. Iron Deficiency Anemia. Not Having a Spleen. Inflammatory Conditions. Mixed Cryoglobulinemia. Hemolytic Anemia. Hemolytic Anemias.

Frequently Asked Questions What kinds of infections cause an elevated platelet count? What are possible complications of thrombocytosis? Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign Up. What are your concerns? Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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