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.