Tag: Reactive thrombocytosis

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, a temporary high platelet count (thrombocytosis) can occur as the body recovers from a very low platelet count, sometimes related to alcohol abuse and low vitamin B12 levels. This raises a critical question: Can vitamin B12 cause high platelets, or is the relationship more complex?

According to the National Institutes of Health, iron deficiency is a prominent and common cause of reactive thrombocytosis. This connection means that an elevated platelet count can be a direct result of low iron levels in the body, which is a surprisingly common clinical finding.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional disorder worldwide. It is often accompanied by an elevated platelet count, a condition known as reactive thrombocytosis. While moderate increases are common, severe iron deficiency can lead to exceptionally high platelet levels, sometimes exceeding 1,000 × 109/L.

While the name suggests a vitamin, iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional cause of reactive thrombocytosis, not a specific vitamin deficiency. This high platelet count, discovered during a routine blood test for another condition, often resolves with proper treatment of the underlying cause.

While it might seem counterintuitive, research has established that iron deficiency, not iron excess, is a common cause of reactive thrombocytosis. This condition involves a high platelet count and is often discovered during routine blood tests for iron deficiency anemia.