The Disease of Thrombocytosis

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The human body is dependent on interconnectedness of its systems to maintain homeostasis. Internal and external factors can potentially contribute to a disruption of homeostasis. If the body is not returned to homeostasis by negative feedback mechanisms then complications arise which can be detected by a battery of tests (Museum of Science & Industry, 2013). For example, a 40-year-old man enters the clinic with complaining of chest pains, the negative feedback systems have not returned the body to homeostasis. A variety of tests are performed to determine what is occurring. The objective data states that the patient has elevated troponin levels, which confirm a mild heart attack. Hematocrit levels are normal; however, platelet counts are recorded at >600x 103 /µl, and there is also no direct evidence for iron deficiency. Subjective data reveals that the patient complains of a throbbing and burning sensation in the hands and feet, and his family has a history of heart problems. To determine the patient’s condition the attending physician must understand the anatomy of the body.
Whole blood in body is composed of blood plasma and formed elements. Tortora and Derrickson (2012) states that red blood cells (RBC’s), white blood cells (WBC’s), and platelets make up formed elements. Taking a closer look at platelets, also known as thrombocytes, make up only a fraction of formed elements compared to RBC’s and WBC’s. Platelets in whole blood are developed in red bone marrow, which is due to the hormone thrombopoietin. According to Tortora and Derrickson (2012), the hormone thrombopoietin stimulates the formation of platelets. Thrombocytes are formed when thrombopoietin allows myeloid stem cells to turn into megakaryoblasts and then megak...

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