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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffYou may find out you have thrombocytosis through a routine blood test that shows you have a higher than normal platelet count. Or, if your doctor finds that your spleen is enlarged or if you have signs or symptoms of an infection or other condition, your doctor may order a complete blood count (CBC) to determine your platelet count. A blood smear, a test in which a small amount of your blood is examined under a microscope, helps determine the condition of your platelets.
Because a number of conditions can cause a temporary rise in your platelet count, your doctor likely will repeat the blood tests to see if your platelet count remains high over time.
A normal range for platelets is 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. If your blood count is above 600,000, then your doctor will look for an underlying condition. In most cases, signs and symptoms of the underlying condition help guide the diagnosis. However, in the case of cancer that has yet to be found, the diagnosis can be difficult.
