Platelet Disorders and Blood Coagulation Abnormalities

Thrombocytosis (or thrombocythemia) and thrombocytopenia are conditions that affect platelet counts in the blood, which normally range from 170 to 430 x 10⁹/L in adults. Thrombocytosis refers to an abnormally high platelet count, while thrombocytopenia indicates a reduction below normal level. Both conditions can have significant health implications and must be monitored according to their cause and severity.

Increased platelets can occur in two forms: primary (essential) thrombocythemia, a hereditary condition caused by genetic mutations, and reactive (secondary) thrombocytosis, which arises due to other conditions such as anaemia, certain cancers (lung, digestive, breast, ovarian, lymphoma), splenectomy (removal of the spleen), chronic inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease), or acute infections. Elevated platelet levels can lead to blood clots (hypercoagulation), increasing the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism.

Thrombocytopenia, a decrease in platelet counts, heightens the risk of bleeding (hypo coagulation) and can result in complications such as gum and nosebleeds, prolonged menstruation, easy bruising, red spots on the skin, and fatigue. Related conditions include haemophilias, Von Willebrand disease, hereditary thrombocytopenia, immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.