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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffThe abnormal blood clotting of thrombocythemia can lead to a variety of potentially serious complications, including:
- Pregnancy complications. Uncontrolled thrombocythemia can cause miscarriage, premature delivery, early separation of the placenta from the uterine wall (placental abruption) and slow fetal growth. If you're a woman with thrombocythemia and you become pregnant, your doctor should monitor you carefully throughout your pregnancy.
- Stroke. A clot that obstructs blood flow to your brain can cause you to have a stroke. If you develop signs and symptoms of a stroke, seek prompt medical attention.
- Heart attack. A clot that obstructs blood flow to your heart can cause you to have a heart attack. If you develop signs and symptoms of a heart attack, such as pressure, fullness or a squeezing pain in the center of your chest lasting more than a few minutes; pain extending to your shoulder, arm, back, teeth or jaw; shortness of breath; and sweating or clammy skin, seek prompt medical attention.
Thrombocythemia also can cause hemorrhage with significant blood loss. Some people with thrombocythemia may later develop acute leukemia or myelofibrosis, both of which can be life-threatening:
- Acute leukemia. Acute myelogenous leukemia is a type of blood and bone marrow cancer that progresses rapidly.
- Myelofibrosis. This progressive bone marrow disorder disrupts your body's normal production of blood cells, resulting in bone marrow scarring, severe anemia and enlargement of your liver and spleen.
