Overview

Essential thrombocythemia (throm-boe-sie-THEE-me-uh) is an uncommon disorder in which your body produces too many platelets. Platelets are the part of your blood that sticks together to form clots.

This condition may cause you to feel fatigued and lightheaded and to experience headaches and vision changes. It also increases your risk of blood clots.

Essential thrombocythemia is more common in people over age 60, though younger people can develop it too. It's also more common in women.

Essential thrombocythemia is a chronic disease with no cure. If you have a mild form of the disease, you may not need treatment. If you have severe symptoms, you may need medicine that lowers your platelet count, blood thinners or both.