How Is Thrombocytopenia Treated?

Treatment for thrombocytopenia depends on its cause and how severe the condition is. The primary goal of treatment is to prevent death and disability caused by bleeding.

If your condition is mild, you may not need treatment. Your doctor should reassure you that a fully normal platelet count isn't necessary to prevent bleeding, even with severe cuts or accidents.

Thrombocytopenia often improves when its underlying cause is treated. People who inherit the condition usually don't need treatment.

If a reaction to medicine is causing a low platelet count, your doctor may prescribe other medicine. Most people recover after the offending medicine has been stopped. For heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), stopping the heparin isn't enough. Often, you'll need another medicine to prevent blood clotting.

If your immune system is causing a low platelet count, your doctor may prescribe medicines to suppress the immune system. When the condition is severe, treatments may include:

• Medicines. You may be given steroids. This medicine can be given through a vein or by mouth. One example of this type of medicine is prednisone. You also may be given immunoglobulin. This medicine is given through a vein.
• Blood or platelet transfusions. This type of treatment is reserved for people who have active bleeding or are at a high risk for bleeding.
• Splenectomy. This is surgery to remove the spleen. This treatment is most often used for adults who have idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.