From the FDA Drug Label
Thrombotic events, such as stroke, deep vein thrombosis, or myocardial infarction, can be complications of thrombocythemia Thrombocythemia in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for miscarriage, stillbirth, and other maternal outcomes, such as preeclampsia
The causes of elevated platelets are not directly stated in the provided text, but it can be inferred that thrombocythemia is a condition characterized by elevated platelet counts.
- Thrombocythemia can lead to complications such as thrombotic events, miscarriage, stillbirth, and other maternal outcomes.
- The provided text does not explicitly state the causes of elevated platelets, but it discusses the risks and complications associated with thrombocythemia 1.
From the Research
Elevated platelets, known as thrombocytosis, can be caused by several conditions, including primary thrombocytosis, secondary thrombocytosis, infections, inflammation, iron deficiency anemia, cancer, recent surgery, or certain medications, with iron deficiency anemia being a significant cause, as seen in a study published in 2020 2.
Causes of Thrombocytosis
- Primary thrombocytosis: occurs when bone marrow produces too many platelets due to genetic mutations in blood-forming cells, as seen in essential thrombocythemia and other myeloproliferative disorders, with a study published in 2025 3 providing insight into the condition.
- Secondary thrombocytosis: develops in response to another underlying condition, such as infections, inflammation, iron deficiency anemia, cancer, recent surgery, or certain medications.
- Infections: can cause reactive thrombocytosis, as seen in a study published in 2019 4, which found that approximately 8% of patients with acute infections had thrombocytosis.
- Iron deficiency anemia: is a significant cause of thrombocytosis, with a study published in 2020 2 finding that one-third of patients with iron deficiency anemia had thrombocytosis, and that the rate of thrombosis was 2-fold higher in patients with iron deficiency anemia and thrombocytosis compared to those with iron deficiency anemia alone.
Treatment and Management
- Treatment depends on addressing the underlying cause, and may include aspirin therapy to prevent clotting complications in primary thrombocytosis.
- For secondary causes, treating the underlying condition typically normalizes platelet counts.
- Monitoring platelet counts is important, as very high levels increase the risk of blood clots or, paradoxically, bleeding problems, with a study published in 2016 5 highlighting the importance of iron replacement therapy in preventing thromboembolic complications in patients with iron deficiency anemia.