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Thrombocytopenia - Treatment

Treatment:

Treatment depends on the cause of the condition. In some cases, a transfusion of platelets may be required to stop or prevent bleeding.

Expectations (prognosis):

The outcome depends on the disorder causing the low platelet counts.

Complications:

Severe bleeding (hemorrhage) is the main complication. This can include:

Bleeding in the brain (intracranial hemorrhage)
Gastrointestinal bleeding (vomiting blood or blood in the stools )

Calling your health care provider:

Call your healthcare provider if you experience unexplained bleeding or bruising.

Reviewed last on: 8/18/2008
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Goldman L. Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2007:1291-1299.

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