Mean platelet volume is increased in hyperthyroidism

Abstract

In 28 unselected patients with hyperthyroidism, platelet count, platelet hematocrit, mean platelet volume, and platelet distribution width were measured at the time of presentation and again when the patients were euthyroid. On return to the euthyroid state, there were highly significant falls in the mean values of the mean platelet volume (16% decline, P less than 0.001) and the platelet hematocrit (16% decline, P less than 0.001) and a slight but highly significant increase in the mean value of the platelet distribution width (2% increase, P less than 0.01). A decline in mean platelet volume was observed in 24 of 28 patients (86%); three patients showed no change. There was no significant change in the mean value of the platelet count. The observed effects of thyrotoxicosis on platelets appeared to be largely independent of the well-known effects on erythrocytes and white blood cells. An increase in mean platelet volume is a regular feature of hyperthyroidism that has not previously been described.