Thrombocytosis (Excess Platelets)

by: Joe Hing Kwok Chu          按 此 看 中 文

Thrombocytosis is a condition in which the body produces excess number of platelets. The complications of thrombocytosis may include strokes, heart attacks , bleeding or blood clots.

Thrombocytosis is classified into:

(1) Primary thrombocytosis also called essential thrombocythemia, is a single disease entity, which is not caused by other health problems.

(2) Secondary thrombocytosis can be caused by other health problems, such as: chronic inflammation, severe bleeding, iron deficiency, stress, surgery, medication, osteoporosis, splenectomy, anemia, polycythemia vera (splenomegalic polycythemia, Vaquez-Osler syndrome, erythremia), and cancer.

Prognosis
Some patients may die as a result of blood clots or uncontrolled bleeding but many patients with thrombocytosis remain symptom free for long periods of time.

Chinese Herb Therapy

Formula 1

Name of formula: shui zhi tang

Usage: high pressure of the portal vein; increase of platelet counts after splenectomy.

Prescription﹕

shui zhi 18 g (smashed), meng chong  9 g, di bie chong 9 g,

tao ren 9 g, dan pi 9 g, chi shao yao 15 g, large sheng di 15 g,

sheng pu huang 15 g (wrapped), sheng wu ling zhi 15 g.

Boil with water. Use as tea.

Effectiveness:

Among eighteen patients,  ten of them  showed that the platelet count started to go down after 2 dosages, and three of them showed that the platelet count started to go down after 3 dosages.

Source of formula: Qin Liang Fu, Ren Ji Hospital, of 2nd Medical School of Shanghai, China.

See next page: Complementary Therapy of traditional Chinese medicine and modern medicine.

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