High platelets is a condition when the number of platelets in the body exceeds the normal number. In adults, the normal limit for the platelet count is 150,000–400,000 per microliter of blood. High platelets can be caused by various things, and if there are too many, platelets can cause blood clots.
Platelets are blood cells that play a role in the blood clotting process. The role of platelets is very important, especially to stop bleeding when there is an injury or rupture of blood vessels in the body.
However, if the platelet count is too high (thrombocytosis), excessive blood clots or clots can occur.
These blood clots can block blood vessels and block blood flow to important organs, such as the brain, heart, and lungs. This condition can trigger dangerous diseases, such as stroke, heart disease, and pulmonary embolism.
Conditions That Can Cause High Platelets
The following are some of the factors that can cause high platelets:
1. Network damage
Damage to body tissues can trigger an increase in the number of platelets. Tissue damage can result from injury, injury, or postoperative conditions.
High platelets due to this condition is normal because it is the body's natural mechanism to prevent fatal bleeding and help the body to recover from damage.
2. Blood loss
When the body is injured and bleeding, the bone marrow will respond by producing more red blood cells and platelets. Platelets will be high for some time to stop the bleeding, then decrease and the number returns to normal when the bleeding has stopped.
3. Infection
Infection is one of the things that often causes an increase in the number of platelets. The increase in the number of platelets is thought to be due to the influence of cytokine hormones that act as part of the body's defense against infection.
Generally, this condition does not cause symptoms and the platelet count will return to normal once the infection is treated properly.
4. Inflammation
As with infection, inflammation can also cause the platelet count to increase. This can occur in patients with certain inflammatory diseases, for example: rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
5. Cancer
Cancer can cause a high platelet count by causing damage to surrounding tissues and affecting the immune system's response to stimulating the bone marrow to produce platelets.
6. Bone marrow disorders
A high platelet count can occur due to a bone marrow disorder or disease that stimulates the formation of excessive platelets in the bone marrow, such as myeloproliferative disease, leukemia or blood cancer, and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).
7. Genetic factors
An increased platelet count can also be caused by a genetic disorder that makes the bone marrow produce too many platelets. In medical terms, this condition is called primary thrombocythemia or primary thrombocytemia.
8. Side effects of certain drugs
High platelet counts can sometimes also be caused by the side effects of certain drugs, such as corticosteroids and rituximab. Generally, these side effects are temporary and platelets return to normal when the drug is stopped.
These drugs can usually also be used to treat conditions that decrease the number of platelets due to: Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP).
High platelets are often asymptomatic and are only detected when you undergo a medical examination. However, in certain cases, high platelets can also cause several symptoms, such as headache, chest pain, dizziness, weakness, frequent bruising, shortness of breath, and numbness or tingling in the feet or hands.
To evaluate your platelet count, see your doctor. The doctor will perform a physical examination and recommend a complete blood test. If the results of the examination show that you have a high platelet count, the doctor will provide treatment according to the cause.