Essential Thrombocythemia

Essential thrombocythemia is a blood disorder in which the bone marrow produces too many platelets, which can alter clotting and increase the risk of forming clots or, in some cases, of experiencing bleeding.

Common symptoms: many people have no symptoms; when they appear, they may include headache, dizziness, tingling in the hands or feet, and redness with burning in the extremities.

How is it usually detected? it is often discovered incidentally in routine blood tests, when an elevated platelet count is found.

Which specialist treats it? the hematologist, and in children the pediatric hematologist, is the one who studies the platelet count and monitors the course; the geneticist can help with the study of the cause. If a test shows persistently high platelets, it is worth reviewing it with one of these professionals.