Other Names for Thrombocythemia and Thrombocytosis

Primary thrombocythemia also is called:

  • Essential thrombocythemia. This term is used when a high platelet count occurs alone (that is, without other blood cell disorders).
  • Idiopathic (id-ee-o-PATH-ick) thrombocythemia.
  • Primary or essential thrombocytosis (these are less favored terms).

Thrombocytosis also is known as:

  • Secondary or reactive thrombocytosis.
  • Secondary thrombocythemia (this is a less favored term).

 

Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health.