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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staff
Mild thrombocytopenia may not need treatment
Many cases of mild thrombocytopenia may not require treatment. The condition may resolve on its own. For instance, mild thrombocytopenia in pregnant women usually improves soon after childbirth.
Treatments for more severe thrombocytopenia
Treating thrombocytopenia may involve several options:
- Treating the underlying cause of thrombocytopenia. If your doctor can identify a disease or condition that's causing your thrombocytopenia, treating that cause may improve your signs and symptoms.
- Blood transfusions. For severe bleeding, your doctor can replace lost blood with transfusions of packed red blood cells or platelets.
- Treatment for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Treatment for this disease may include medications that block the antibodies that attack platelets, such as corticosteroids. If corticosteroids don't help, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove your spleen (splenectomy) or stronger medications to suppress your immune system.
- Mullally A, et al. Thrombocytopenia. In: Nilsson KR, et al. The Osler Medical Handbook. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/178460302-5/0/1387/0.html. Accessed Jan. 15, 2010.
- Thrombocytopenia. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/thcp/thcp_all.html. Accessed Jan. 15, 2010.
- McMillan R. Hemorrhagic disorders: Abnormalities of platelet and vascular function. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/178460302-6/0/1492/0.html. Accessed Jan. 15, 2010.
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