Why can there be an increased number of platelets in the blood? Mean platelet volume increased

The materials are published for review and are not a prescription for treatment! We recommend that you contact a hematologist at your healthcare facility!

Platelets are responsible for the timeliness and efficiency of thrombus formation during bleeding and vascular damage. That is why it is so important to evaluate both quantitative and qualitative platelet parameters. Modern analyzers allow you to do this quickly, with a minimum percentage of error, which greatly helps the doctor in making the correct diagnosis.

Platelets are the cellular elements of the blood responsible for the formation of a blood clot to stop bleeding.

In Soviet times, when analyzing blood cells, in particular platelets, only their quantitative value was determined. Now laboratory diagnostics has stepped far forward: the equipment has improved, therefore it has become possible to determine the quality indicators of cells, in particular, the average platelet volume and the distribution of platelets by volume.

Platelet count variability

The quantitative norm of platelets varies depending on the sex. In men, it is usually slightly higher than in women. This is due to hormonal levels and menstrual bleeding.

Also a very provoking factor is stress. It provides an increased level of platelets.

Thrombocytopenia

Low platelets in the blood (thrombocytopenia) - unfortunately, a common occurrence. The number of cells that promote thrombosis can drop to 80 thousand units / μl.

Important! The critical level is considered to be 70 thousand units / μl and below. Then the platelet mass or the mixture of "erythrocytes + platelets" is necessarily transfused.

The causes of a low platelet count can be divided into two groups: defects in cell synthesis and external influences (for example, drugs or toxic substances).

Synthesis defects include:

• pathological processes occurring at the level of the germinal blood cell (megakaryocyte) of the bone marrow (malignant neoplasms: leukemia, myeloma, megaloblastic anemia, and metastases);
• pathological processes that affect the formation of the protein component of the blood cell (liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, hyperthyroidism).

But often in an adult, low platelets in the blood are due to the systematic and uncontrolled use of acetylsalicylic acid preparations (contained in medicines for the treatment of coronary artery disease), drugs and alcohol.

In the above cases, it is logical that it is possible to increase the level of platelets only with adequate and timely treatment of the pathology that led to this result.

thrombocytosis

However, now it is not uncommon for an increased content of platelets in the blood - thrombocytosis, when the rate exceeds 420 thousand units / μl.

Thrombocytosis by its nature can be:

• primary (appears as a result of tumors, genetic diseases or other disorders in the hematopoietic organs);
• secondary (occurs due to infections, dehydration, atherosclerotic vascular lesions, severe stress);
• after blood loss or surgery (compensatory mechanisms are activated that activate thrombus formation).

It is possible to lower platelets in case of secondary thrombocytosis or blood loss by transfusion of the protein part of the blood (plasma) or blood-substituting fluids, restoration of the water-salt balance (administration of intravenous saline or other saline solution), taking direct and indirect anticoagulants.

Definition and concept of platelet volume

In order to make a correct and comprehensive diagnosis, it is not enough to see the number of platelets alone. You need to know their average volume. The value showing the average volume of platelets in the blood is referred to in the MPV assays. It is calculated on special equipment, measured in femtoliters (Fl). The device first calculates the platelets themselves in the taken blood, and then calculates their volume (roughly speaking, the space occupied by platelets).

Important! In terms of volume, mature, functional platelets take up less space than immature, large megakaryocytes or other platelet precursors. Normal MPV ranges from 7.1 to 11 Fl.

The average platelet volume is reduced

A decrease in the average volume of platelets occurs when a lot of old "spent" cells of small volume circulate and accumulate in the blood. It is logical that a decrease in platelet volume, i.e. qualitative indicator, occurs with an increase in quantitative.

Important! The classical hematological picture: thrombocytosis is accompanied by a decrease in the average platelet volume, and thrombocytopenia is accompanied by its increase.

The average platelet volume is reduced in the following cases:

• diseases of the blood coagulation system (coagulopathy);
• the inability to adequately and timely synthesize new blood cells due to oncohematological diseases, congenital bone marrow aplasia, radiation therapy or the use of antitumor drugs that inhibit hematopoietic function;
• the inability to fully utilize the "used" cells (diseases of the liver and spleen, lymphogranulomatosis).

Mean platelet volume increased

An increase in the average volume occurs when young (up to blasts) elements of the platelet series are in the blood. There is an exit into the bloodstream of immature platelets due to increased work of the bone marrow.

Platelets are the smallest blood elements formed in the bone marrow and are oval or round plates. In fact, these are nuclear-free fragments of the cytoplasm of megakaryocytes - giant bone marrow cells.

Platelets are involved in the process of blood coagulation, vascular nutrition and tissue regeneration. They are able to stick together with each other and attach to the vessel wall at the site of violation of its integrity. Thus, a blood clot is formed, which stops bleeding from a damaged vessel. If the number and average volume of platelets are reduced, they do not do their job, bleeding becomes intense and does not stop for a long time.

Mean volume (MPV) and platelet count are determined by a complete blood count. When diagnosing, only a significant decrease in the number of platelets in the blood is taken into account - below 100 thousand / μl. This medical condition is called thrombocytopenia. It causes prolonged nosebleeds, heavy menstruation, hemorrhages under the skin and into internal organs, bleeding gums, capillary fragility and blood clotting disorders.

Daily fluctuations in the level of platelets within 10% is considered to be a physiological norm. In women, during menstruation, their number decreases by 20-30%.

The average volume of platelets depends on their age, as the elements age, this parameter decreases. Their activity and the content of active substances in the granules depend on the size of platelets.

Quantity and average volume norms

The norm of platelets in an adult is the same for any age. The lower norm is 150 thousand / μl, the upper one is 400 thousand / μl.

Mean volume (MPV) is measured in femtoliters. In a healthy person, this figure is 7.5-11 fm.

The reasons

Why are the number and average volume of platelets below normal? The causes of low platelets are varied. Thrombocytopenia can be a symptom of the disease, an independent form, a consequence of the use of certain drugs or exposure to chemicals.

Decreased platelet levels have the following causes:

1. Disorders in the work of the thyroid gland. This can be either a decrease in its function - hypothyroidism, or an increase in hormone production - thyrotoxicosis.
2. Autoimmune diseases: scleroderma, SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus).
3. Infectious diseases of a viral nature: chickenpox, measles, influenza, rubella.
4. hereditary thrombocytopenia. In some genetic diseases, platelets are reduced, their formation is impaired, or destruction occurs. These are Fanconi syndrome, May-Hegglin anomaly, neonatal rubella, Bernard-Soulier syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.
5. Malignant diseases. Tumors and metastases in the bone marrow, leukemia.
6. Diseases accompanied by increased activity of the spleen, where platelets are destroyed in a natural way. For example, cirrhosis of the liver.
7. Ionizing radiation.
8. Aplastic and megaloblastic anemia.
9. Uremia is an intoxication that has arisen in chronic renal failure.
10. Some drugs, after taking which there is a decrease in the number of platelets: analgin, biseptol, aspirin, vinblastine, sulfadimethoxine, chloramphenicol, chlorthiazide, phenylbutazone, rifadin and others.
11. Pregnancy, period of menstruation - natural causes.
12. Hemodialysis.
13. thrombocytopenic purpura.
14. Poisoning from alcohol or heavy metals.
15. Leukemias.

With low platelets, there is a tendency to bleeding and hematoma formation, poor wound healing

During pregnancy

A decrease in the number of platelets is considered a normal variant during gestation, but only if these fluctuations are insignificant. The permissible rate during this period is 10-20% below the general norm for adults.

If platelets are significantly reduced during pregnancy, then this is a pathological condition. In this case, a woman may complain of poor wound healing, bleeding, bruising even from weak blows. The reasons why platelets can be low during pregnancy are as follows:

• unbalanced diet;
• viral infection;
• preeclampsia;
• nephropathy of pregnant women;
• impaired blood clotting;
• systemic lupus erythematosus;
• folate deficiency;
• antiphospholipid syndrome;
• allergies;
• taking medications;
• obstetric bleeding.

Low platelets during pregnancy are fraught with early gestosis, the threat of miscarriage, premature birth, heavy bleeding during childbirth. It is undesirable for women with frequent recurrences of chronic thrombocytopenia to plan a pregnancy.

Treatment

If the analysis showed that the level of platelets is below normal, you should undergo an examination to find out the cause and decide how to increase their level. Treatment depends on the cause of this condition and is aimed primarily at eliminating it.

If the low platelet count is due to medication, they are canceled. In the event of severe bleeding, a transfusion of platelet mass and plasma is carried out. With significant blood loss and the development of severe anemia, a transfusion of red blood cells and plasma may be required. Immunoglobulin and corticosteroids are prescribed to increase platelet production and suppress autoimmune reactions.

In the absence of the desired result in the conservative treatment of thrombocytopenic purpura, heavy repeated bleeding, hemorrhages in important organs, a splenectomy may be indicated - an operation to remove the spleen, the effectiveness of which is high (about 80%).

With thrombocytopenia, for the purpose of and, a course of drugs based on natural ingredients can be prescribed. These include funds such as Derinat, Sodecor, Etamzilat.

If the platelet count is low, doctors recommend eating right. It is necessary to give up alcoholic beverages, spicy and spicy dishes. You should include in the menu more foods rich in vitamins A, C and promote better blood clotting. These are liver, fish oil, chokeberry, bell pepper, celery, green apples, parsley, wild rose, carrots, peanuts, pine nuts, almonds, grape and lingonberry leaves, birch sap.

Video about the functions of platelets and the reasons for the decrease in their number in the blood:

Finally

People prone to thrombocytopenia should be observed by a hematologist and follow his recommendations. This pathological condition is dangerous because it can lead to severe bleeding, so injuries and cuts must be avoided. It is important to give up alcoholic beverages and smoking, as well as prolonged exposure to the sun. Do not take medications that thin the blood.

Blood is a substance that contains many enzymes. They perform important roles in protecting the human body from infections, carrying oxygen, eliminating pathogenic bacteria and responding to pathologies that have arisen. One of the most important elements of the blood are platelets. They are formed in the bone marrow and are the smallest elements that are responsible for the clotting process, nourish blood vessels and cause tissue healing.

Platelets quickly merge one with one, attaching themselves to the vessel if its integrity is broken. Due to the fusion of the bodies, a small blood clot is formed, which stops the bleeding and saves the patient's life from massive blood loss. In situations where the volume of these blood elements begins to fall, dangerous bleeding can begin.

Attention! During the day, a person can decrease the number of bodies by 10% of the total volume without any problems. This happens especially often during menstruation in women, when blood is lost due to natural causes.

The main reasons for the appearance of pathology include the following:

Attention! The exact cause of the pathology can only be identified by the attending physician after a complete examination and assessment of the general condition of the patient using tests, ultrasound and other necessary studies.

Diet with a reduced average platelet volume

When problems with blood clotting appear, it is important to establish proper nutrition. To do this, the patient is recommended to completely abandon products such as alcohol of any strength, spicy dishes, smoked meats, especially store-bought products.

To achieve a quick therapeutic result, the patient must significantly enrich the diet with foods high in vitamin A. It is found in beef liver, fish oil (it can be replaced with vitamins), black mountain ash, sweet pepper. Be sure to eat green vegetables and fruits. Most of the substances useful for blood vessels are found in green apples, celery and parsley.

It is recommended to drink freshly squeezed juices from carrots, prepare compotes from rose hips, grapes and lingonberry leaves. It will not be superfluous to eat every day a harvest of peanuts, walnuts and hazelnuts. The table shows the foods with the highest amount of vitamin A.

Attention! It is also mandatory to abandon heavy physical exertion, avoid stress and observe the regime of day and night.

Folk remedies in the treatment of low platelet count

Sesame oil

It is one of the most effective means for suppressing thrombocytopenia. To prevent dangerous processes, you should drink 15 ml of sesame oil in the morning before breakfast. It is also recommended to repeat a similar session before going to bed, but the dosage should be reduced to a teaspoon. The therapy continues for a month until a stable result is achieved.

Nettle for thrombocytopenia

To prepare the drug, you will need to squeeze fresh juice from a ripe green plant, 50 ml of liquid is needed for treatment. The juice is mixed with the same amount of whole cow's milk. It is recommended to drink the resulting solution 15 minutes before the main meal. Nettle milk treatment will continue for two weeks. Keeping freshly squeezed juice is strictly prohibited.

chokeberry

This plant perfectly increases blood viscosity, increasing its enzymatic composition. To do this is quite simple. It is necessary to eat 50 fruits of chokeberry every day after breakfast. The recommended course of therapy is three weeks. It is strictly forbidden to increase the number of days of treatment. Red mountain ash is not treated in this way.

Attention! With an insufficient level of platelets, the use of folk remedies can only be of an auxiliary nature, since they cannot quickly eliminate bleeding and strengthen the walls of blood vessels.

Consequences of a low platelet count

The main and most terrible violation of this condition is the possibility of developing massive bleeding even due to a small injury, which is difficult to stop. Such problems are especially dangerous during pregnancy, childbirth and menstruation. Uterine bleeding is very difficult to treat even with a normal level of platelets, and in many cases it can be fatal if it is reduced.

In addition, this condition can cause bleeding in the brain and in the eyeball with the retina. Such disorders can be triggered by even a slight increase in arterial and eye pressure.

Attention! A correct lifestyle and adherence to recommendations for preventing bleeding due to a low platelet count will reduce the likelihood of such conditions.

Prevention of low platelets

To reduce the likelihood of developing pathology, the recommended preventive methods should be followed:

• stop smoking and alcoholic products;
• do not overeat and try to eat only healthy foods;
• during menstruation, take iron-containing preparations;
• as a preventive measure, 2 times a year, drink vitamins with iron;
• prevent severe injuries of the lower extremities;
• reduce the amount of sweet and spicy foods;
• monitor cholesterol levels to prevent depletion of blood vessels;
• do not self-medicate any pathologies that have arisen in the body, since many medicines can cause illness;
• sleep at least 7 hours a day, while it is advisable to go to bed at the same time;
• do not overcool, maintain optimal physical shape;
• monitor the condition of the kidneys and liver.

Such a lifestyle several times increases the chances of preventing severe pathologies, including massive bleeding.

If you have noticed problems that indicate a decrease in the average platelet volume, you should immediately seek help from your doctor. He will conduct a full examination to exclude the presence of dangerous pathologies and prescribe the treatment suitable for a particular patient. In some cases, the patient will be recommended hospitalization to prevent the development of a fatal outcome due to massive bleeding.

Video - Why platelet levels are falling

Very often, when familiarizing yourself with the results of the analyzes performed, you can find a note that says about a decrease in the average number of platelets(By the way, do you know what to do?). This condition of the blood coagulation system is called thrombocytopenia. This state of the coagulation system is a signal of the presence in the body that has this disorder, quite serious health problems.

Platelets are the most important element that makes up the blood. In the event of violations of the integrity of the circulatory system, these formed elements ensure the formation of blood clots and stop bleeding at the sites of damage. This reaction is protective and ensures the prevention of blood loss in the body. A decrease in the number of platelets in the bloodstream can lead to prolonged bleeding, which can be a threat to human life. What is the reason for the fact that in human blood the average platelet count is below normal? The average platelet count can decrease for a wide variety of reasons.

The average platelet volume is below normal, causes, treatment

Thrombocytopenia may have hereditary causes. Often, some genetic ailments are accompanied by a decrease in the numerical composition of platelets. In addition, some genetic ailments can cause disturbances in the formation and breakdown of platelets. Very often, the cause of thrombocytopenia is the presence of an autoimmune disease accompanied by the formation of special antibodies that contribute to the destruction of human blood platelets.

The presence of thrombocytopenia in a person may indicate the presence of a developing oncological disease in a patient. An example of such a phenomenon in the body is a decrease in the number of platelets in the presence of malignant tumors in the bone marrow, as well as the presence of developing leukemia. The presence of HIV infection in a person or infectious diseases such as rubella, measles and complex forms of influenza affect the number of platelets in the blood.

Cirrhosis of the liver can lead to a significant drop in the number of platelets, in addition to this, diseases of the spleen lead to a decrease in the number of platelets. This is due to the fact that it is the tissue of the liver and spleen that are responsible for the destruction of platelets, which are old.

The average platelet volume is below normal, and their number depends on the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. For this reason, any violations associated with the normal functioning of the body affect the number of platelets. With the development of hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis, a significant and prolonged drop in the number of platelets in the bloodstream of the body is observed. In addition to all of the above, the quantitative composition of platelets is greatly influenced by the use of certain medications.

What are the manifestations of thrombocytopenia in the body? First of all, this disease is manifested by numerous and frequent small hemorrhages. For example, on the body of patients who have this ailment for no particular apparent reason, bruising occurs, slight bleeding appears on the mucous membranes. Particularly noticeable in this situation are microhemorrhages in the sclera of the eyes. In this case, the sclera takes on a reddish appearance. In some cases, small bubble-like formations filled with blood are revealed on the skin. If any of the above symptoms are detected, it is recommended to immediately seek help from a medical institution.

Platelets are small non-nuclear platelets that are the most important element in the human body. When damage or integrity of blood vessels occurs, these cells are able to eliminate bleeding by forming some kind of blood clots. This is one of the protective functions that prevent a large loss of blood in the body, which can be life-threatening.

Therefore, in modern laboratories, not only the level and quantitative composition of platelets are determined, but also their condition and the average platelet volume MPV. It is very difficult for an ordinary patient to understand what the result of the analysis means, so the article is dedicated to those who want to learn how to understand the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of their blood.

Norm

Like other blood indicators, platelets have limits that are considered the norm for the proper functioning of the body. So, the norm of platelets is considered to be from 200 to 400 * 10 9 / l, and the average volume of erythrocytes (MPV) can normally vary from 7.5 to 11 fL (femtoliter). The calculation of this indicator is carried out on a hardware analyzer.

It should be noted that during the day the indicator can change by 10%, and the level can also be rebuilt depending on the time of day or season. It is noticed that at night and in spring sometimes the level of platelets decreases markedly.

The average volume of platelets, the norm in women during menstruation, automatically decreases by 20-50%, this is a physiological protective state, therefore, it does not require special measures and treatment.

During pregnancy, this indicator also undergoes some changes, as a rule, the average platelet volume mpv is below normal. However, if the future mother's figure drops to 140 * 10 9 / l, it is necessary to take urgent measures, since there is a high probability of increased bleeding during childbirth.

It happens that the deviations of the indicator from the norm are insignificant, and have physiological reasons, for example:

• the period after surgery or surgery and the loss of a certain amount of blood;
• after receiving numerous wounds, injuries and injuries;
• during heavy menstruation;
• in small children who have not yet fully formed the hematopoietic system;
• taking certain types of medications that stimulate the processes of hematopoiesis;
• sometimes deviations can be associated with heavy physical exertion or a long stay in highlands.

Mean platelet count is above normal

An increased average platelet volume in some cases can be an alarm signal and indicate some pathological processes in the body. A person with such an indicator will have to go through several stages of examination in order to find out what this violation is connected with.

It should be understood that there is a clear inversely proportional relationship between the cellular level and their average volume: if the average volume of platelets in the blood is increased, then the number of these cells is reduced.

The following pathologies can serve as the reasons for the increased volume:

• diabetes;
• thrombocytopenia (number of platelets less than 150 * 10 9 / l, accompanied by increased bleeding and problems with stopping bleeding);
• enlargement of the spleen or hypersplenism (accumulation of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets in the spleen);
• vascular atherosclerosis (accumulation of cholesterol, fats on the walls of blood vessels, plaque formation and narrowing of the lumen of the arteries);
• increased thyroid hormones or teriotoxicosis (occurs due to disruption of the thyroid gland);
• erythremia, myeloid leukemia and other blood diseases;
• a rare May-Hegglin anomaly (inherited, characterized by a decrease in the number of platelets and their insufficient and defective formation in the bone marrow);
• alcoholism and tobacco smoking.

The average platelet volume is increased, what does this mean? It will not be possible to independently interpret the result obtained, one increased indicator may mean nothing. The specialist must necessarily analyze the rest of the blood parameters and, if necessary, send the patient for additional examination and examination.

Downgraded

When wed. the volume of platelets is decently reduced, this condition is characterized by poor blood clotting, the risk of extensive bleeding increases, and the healing of wounds and damage to tissues and organs worsens.

The reasons for the reduced average volume of platelets in the blood are very diverse, ranging from a genetic factor to the presence of various inflammatory processes and diseases in a person, the main ones are:

• oncological disease, such as malignant neoplasms and mestases in the bone marrow;
• leukemia (leukemia);
• HIV, rubella, measles, severe influenza affect the number and volume of platelets;
• cirrhosis of the liver or diseases of the spleen (it is these two organs that are responsible for the elimination of old platelets);
• renal failure or hemodialysis (extrarenal blood purification with a special apparatus "artificial kidney");
• violation of the thyroid gland or its abnormal functioning entails a change in the formation of blood platelets;
• poisoning with heavy metals or bad alcohol.

With a low mean platelet volume, patients usually complain of bleeding and bruising from even minor blows, as well as poor healing of wounds and abrasions. In addition, a person may often have broken capillaries on the retina and small blood vesicles on the body.

The average platelet volume is lowered in a child for the same reasons as in an adult, so the best option is to consult a doctor at the first suspicion.

When blood cells cannot fully perform their work, this threatens a person with a deterioration in his health and well-being. Have regular blood tests and consult with a specialist.