Primary thrombocythemia - Symptom
Alternative Names
Essential thrombocythemia; Essential thrombocytosis
Symptoms:
- Bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, urinary tract, or skin
- Bleeding from the gums
- Bloody stools
- Dizziness
- Easy bruising
- Enlarged lymph nodes (rare)
- Headache
- Nosebleeds (epistaxis)
- Numbness of the hands or feet
- Prolonged bleeding from surgical procedures or tooth extraction
- Ulcers on the fingers or toes
The condition may even cause strokes in some people.
Signs and tests:
This condition is often detected on blood tests done for other reasons, before there are any symptoms.
A physical exam may show an enlarged spleen or liver.
Other tests may include:
- Reviewed last on: 3/2/2009
- David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
References
Tefferi A. Myeloproliferative disorders: Essential thrombocythemia and primary myelofibrosis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 177.