Essential Thrombocythaemia
Essential thrombocythaemia (ET) is a chronic bone marrow disorder in which the body produces far too many platelets. Rather than clotting normally, the excess platelets behave unpredictably, raising the risk of both blood clots and, paradoxically, abnormal bleeding.
Key points
- The bone marrow churns out an excess of platelets that behave unpredictably, raising both clotting and bleeding risk simultaneously.
- Symptoms, when present, often include headaches, tingling or burning in the extremities, and bruising or nosebleeds that appear without explanation.
- Hydroxycarbamide is the standard cytoreductive drug for bringing platelet counts into a safer range, often combined with low-dose aspirin.
What ET looks like and when to act
Many people with essential thrombocythaemia have no symptoms at all and are diagnosed incidentally on a routine blood count. When symptoms do appear they reflect the platelet excess: headaches, visual disturbances, burning or tingling in the hands and feet, and unexplained bruising or nosebleeds. Clotting events such as deep vein thrombosis or stroke are the most serious complication and require urgent medical attention.
Keeping platelet counts under control
For higher-risk individuals, the main aim of treatment is cytoreduction: bringing the platelet count down to a safer range. Hydroxycarbamide is the most widely used cytoreductive agent for ET and is supported by long-term safety data across global populations. It sits within the broader oncology support category of medicines used for myeloproliferative conditions. Low-dose aspirin is often added alongside cytoreductive therapy to reduce clotting risk, though the choice depends on individual bleeding risk.
Regular blood count monitoring is central to living well with ET, as the platelet count guides dose adjustments over time.