High Platelets, (Thrombocythemia) A Simple Guide To The Condition, Diagnosis, Treatment And Related Conditions

By Kenneth Kee

This book describes High Platelets (Thrombocythemia), Diagnosis and Treatment and Related Diseases
High Platelets Count or Thrombocythemia is a rare blood clotting disorder that induces the human bone marrow to produce too many platelets.
A high platelet count can induce blood clots to develop spontaneously.
Normally, the blood starts to clot to prevent a massive loss of blood after an injury.
In people with essential thrombocythemia, blood clots can form suddenly and for no apparent reason.
Unusual blood clotting can be dangerous.
Blood clots may obstruct the flow of blood to the brain, liver, heart, and other vital organs.
Causes:
This disorder happens when the body forms too many platelets, which can result in abnormal clotting.
50% of people with thrombocythemia have a gene mutation in the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) gene.
Other gene mutations are:
Calreticulin (CALR)
Myeloproliferative leukemia virus oncogene (MPL)
This gene is accountable for making a protein that increases the growth and division of cells
When the platelet count is too high due to a specific disease or disorder, it is called secondary or reactive thrombocythemia
These are caused by autoimmune diseases, splenectomy, sarcoidosis, etc
Symptoms:
A blood clot may be the first symptom that something is abnormal
1. Headache
2. Lightheadedness or dizziness
3. Weakness
4. Fainting
5. Numbness or tingling in the feet or hands
6. Redness, throbbing, and burning pain in the feet or hands
7. Changes in vision
8. Chest pain
9. A slightly enlarged spleen
In rare cases, the disorder can induce bleeding.
1. Easy bruising
2. Bleeding from the gums or mouth
3, Nosebleeds
4. Bloody urine
5. Bloody stool
Diagnosis:
The patient should make sure to mention any blood transfusions, infections, and medical procedures the patient has had in the past.
The patient should also tell the doctor about any prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications and supplements the patient is taking.
If Essential thrombocythemia is suspected, the doctor will do certain blood tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Blood tests may be:

1. Full blood count (FBC).
A FBC measures the number of platelets in the blood.
2. Blood smear.
A blood smear examines the condition of the platelets.
3. Genetic testing.
This test will help find out whether the patient have an inherited disorder that produces a high platelet count.
Other diagnostic testing may be bone marrow aspiration to examine the platelets under a microscope.
This procedure requires taking a sample of bone marrow tissue in liquid form.
It is typically taken from the breastbone or pelvis.
The patient will most likely receive a diagnosis of essential thrombocythemia if the doctor cannot find a cause for the high platelet count.
Genetic Studies
The main mutations present in patients with thrombocythemia are in the JAK2 and CALR genes.
Treatment:
The treatment plan will be dependent on a number of factors, such as:
1. The risk of developing blood clots.
2. Presence of heart attack, stroke and other medical disorder
The patient may not need treatment if the patient does not have any symptoms or additional risk factors.
Instead, the doctor may choose to carefully wait and watch the disorder.
Treatment may be advised if the patient:
1. Is over age 60
2. Is a smoker
3. Has other medical disorders, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease
4. Has a history of bleeding or blood clots
Treatment may be:
1. OTC low-dose aspirin decrease blood clotting.
2. Prescription medicines can lower the risk of clotting
3. Platelet pheresis, eliminates platelets directly from the blood
4. Antimetabolics decrease platelet production

TABLE OF CONTENT
Introduction
Chapter 1 High Platelets (Thrombocythemia)<

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kenneth Kee
• Release date: Jan 24, 2019
• ISBN: 9781370909315

Kenneth Kee

Medical doctor since 1972.Started Kee Clinic in 1974 at 15 Holland Dr #03-102, relocated to 36 Holland Dr #01-10 in 2009.Did my M.Sc (Health Management ) in 1991 and Ph.D (Healthcare Administration) in 1993.Dr Kenneth Kee is still working as a family doctor at the age of 74However he has reduced his consultation hours to 3 hours in the morning and 2 hours inthe afternoon.He first started writing free blogs on medical disorders seen in the clinic in 2007 on http://kennethkee.blogspot.com.His purpose in writing these simple guides was for the health education of his patients which is also his dissertation for his Ph.D (Healthcare Administration). He then wrote an autobiography account of his journey as a medical student to family doctor on his other blog http://afamilydoctorstale.blogspot.comThis autobiography account “A Family Doctor’s Tale” was combined with his early “A Simple Guide to Medical Disorders” into a new Wordpress Blog “A Family Doctor’s Tale” on http://ken-med.com.From which many free articles from the blog was taken and put together into 1000 eBooks.He apologized for typos and spelling mistakes in his earlier books.He will endeavor to improve the writing in futures.Some people have complained that the simple guides are too simple.For their information they are made simple in order to educate the patients.The later books go into more details of medical disorders.He has published 1000 eBooks on various subjects on health, 1 autobiography of his medical journey, another on the autobiography of a Cancer survivor, 2 children stories and one how to study for his nephew and grand-daughter.The purpose of these simple guides is to educate patient on health disorders and not meant as textbooks.He does not do any night duty since 2000 ever since Dr Tan had his second stroke.His clinic is now relocated to the Buona Vista Community Centre.The 2 units of his original clinic are being demolished to make way for a new Shopping Mall.He is now doing some blogging and internet surfing (bulletin boards since the 1980's) startingwith the Apple computer and going to PC.The entire PC is upgraded by himself from XT to the present Pentium duo core.The present Intel i7 CPU is out of reach at the moment because the CPU is still expensive.He is also into DIY changing his own toilet cistern and other electric appliance.His hunger for knowledge has not abated and he is a lifelong learner.The children have all grown up and there are 2 grandchildren who are even more technically advanced than the grandfather where mobile phones are concerned.This book is taken from some of the many articles in his blog (now with 740 posts) A Family Doctor’s Tale.Dr Kee is the author of:"A Family Doctor's Tale""Life Lessons Learned From The Study And Practice Of Medicine""Case Notes From A Family Doctor"

Book preview

High Platelets,

(Thrombocythemia)

A

Simple

Guide

To

The Condition,

Diagnosis,

Treatment

And

Related Conditions

By

Dr Kenneth Kee

M.B.,B.S. (Singapore)

Ph.D (Healthcare Administration)

Copyright Kenneth Kee 2019 Smashwords Edition

Published by Kenneth Kee at Smashwords.com

Dedication

This book is dedicated

To my wife Dorothy

And my children

Carolyn, Grace

And Kelvin

This book describes High Platelets (Thrombocythemia), Diagnosis and Treatment and Related Diseases which is seen in some of my patients in my Family Clinic.

(What You Need to Treat High Platelets (Thrombocythemia))

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader.

If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Introduction

I have been writing medical articles for my blog: http://kennethkee.blogspot.com (A Simple Guide to Medical Disorder) for the benefit of my patients since 2007.

My purpose in writing these simple guides was for the health education of my patients.

Health Education was also my dissertation for my Ph.D (Healthcare Administration).

I then wrote an autobiolographical account of his journey as a medical student to family doctor on his other blog: http://afamilydoctorstale.blogspot.com.

This autobiolographical account A Family Doctor’s Tale was combined with my early A Simple Guide to Medical Disorders into a new Wordpress Blog A Family Doctor’s Tale on http://kenkee481.wordpress.com.

From which many free articles from the blog was taken and put together into 800 eBooks.

Some people have complained that the simple guides are too simple.

For their information they are made simple in order to educate the patients.

The later books go into more details of medical disorders.

The first chapter is always from my earlier blogs which unfortunately tends to have typos and spelling mistakes.

Since 2013, I have tried to improve my spelling and writing.

As I tried to bring the patient the latest information about a disorder or illness by reading the latest journals both online and offline, I find that I am learning more and improving on my own medical knowledge in diagnosis and treatment for my patients.

Just by writing all these simple guides I find that I have learned a lot from your reviews (good or bad), criticism and advice.

I am sorry for the repetitions in these simple guides as the second chapters onwards have new information as compared to my first chapter taken from my blog.

I also find repetition definitely help me and maybe some readers to remember the facts in the books more easily.

I apologize if these repetitions are irritating to some readers.

Chapter 1

High Platelets or Thrombocythemia

What is High Platelets Count or Thrombocythemia?

Thrombocythemia or High Platelets Count is a rare blood clotting disorder that induces the human bone marrow to produce too many platelets.

It is also termed essential thrombocythemia.

Bone marrow is the sponge-like tissue within the bones which produces blood cells.

It comprises cells that produce:

1. Red blood cells (RBCs), which carry oxygen and nutrients

2. White blood cells (WBCs), which help fight infections

3. Platelets, which cause blood clotting

A high platelet count can induce blood clots to develop spontaneously.

Normally, the blood starts to clot to prevent a massive loss of blood after an injury.

In people with essential thrombocythemia, blood clots can form suddenly and for no apparent reason.

Unusual blood clotting can be dangerous.

Blood clots may obstruct the flow of blood to the brain, liver, heart, and other vital organs.

What are