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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffIt's possible to have thrombocythemia without developing signs or symptoms. However, the first indication you have the disorder may be the development of a blood clot (thrombus). Although clots can develop anywhere in your body, with thrombocythemia, they most often develop in your brain, hands and feet.
Signs and symptoms depend on where the clot forms.
- Clots to your brain. If a clot obstructs blood flow to your brain, you may experience chronic headache and dizziness. In extreme cases, the clot may cause a transient ischemic attack (TIA) — a temporary interruption of blood flow to part of the brain that destroys no brain cells and causes no permanent disability — or stroke. Signs and symptoms include sudden weakness or numbness of your face, arm or leg, usually on one side of your body, sudden difficulty speaking or understanding speech (aphasia), and sudden blurred, double or decreased vision.
- Clots to your hands and feet. Obstructing blood flow in these tiny blood vessels may cause numbness, redness, and intense burning or throbbing on your palms or soles. The signs and symptoms may worsen with heat or exercise. Diminished blood flow to your feet and toes may cause them to have a patchy redness with burning pain (erythromelalgia).
Less commonly, thrombocythemia paradoxically may cause bleeding, especially if your platelet count is extremely high (more than 1 million platelets per microliter of blood). Bleeding may take the form of:
- Nosebleeds
- Bruising
- Bleeding from your mouth or gums
- Bloody stool
When to see a doctor
If you have any of the signs or symptoms of abnormal blood clotting or bleeding, see your doctor.
If you develop signs or symptoms of a TIA or stroke (such as numbness or paralysis on one side of your body) seek medical attention immediately.
