Platelets are colorless blood cells that are essential for the clotting of blood. Platelets stop blood loss by clumping and plugging holes in blood vessels. A high platelet count, also known as thrombocytosis, may cause few symptoms, but can lead to a dangerous thickening of the blood due to an underlying condition.
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a cancer that starts inside the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the spongy substance found in the center of bones that helps produce the blood cells of the body. Chronic myelogenous leukemia grows from the cells that produce white blood cells. Radiation increases the risk of developing CML, such as high dose radiation treatments to treat thyroid cancer, or Hodgkin's lymphoma, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Symptoms of CML may include bleeding and bruising, excessive sweating, fatigue, fever, weakness and pressure under the lower left ribs from a swollen spleen. Lab results will show an increased platelet count if tested early in the disease. Physicians treat CML with a specific cancer medication known as imatinib, as well as with chemotherapy. However, the only known cure for CML is a bone marrow or stem cell transplant.
Polycythemia Vera
Polycythemia vera creates an abnormal increase in the number of blood cells produced in the bone marrow. The exact cause of polycythemia vera is unknown, according to the National Institutes of Health. Symptoms of polycythemia vera include breathing difficulty when lying down, headache, itchiness, shortness of breath, red coloring to the face, dizziness and vision problems. Lab results reveal increased red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Treatment involves reducing the thickness of the patient's blood. Physicians accomplish this by removing a pint of blood weekly until labs reveal blood values within normal limits. In some cases, physicians may use chemotherapy to suppress the bone marrow.
Anemia
Anemia is a condition where the bone marrow does not produce enough healthy red blood cells for the body to carry oxygen to the tissue. Symptoms of anemia include fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath and irregular heartbeat. There are many forms of anemia, but two are commonly associated with an increased platelet count. Iron deficiency anemia occurs when the body does not receive enough iron, which is needed to make hemoglobin. Physicians often treat iron deficiency anemia with blood transfusions and iron supplements. Hemolytic anemia occurs when red blood cells are destroyed faster than the body can produce them. People may experience hemolytic anemia due to an autoimmune disorder in which the body mistakenly attacks its own healthy cells, or from certain medications such as antibiotics. MayoClinic.com explains that treatment of hemolytic anemia includes avoiding suspect medications and using drugs that suppress the immune system such as corticosteroids and gamma globulin.
