Print DiagnosisThe following can be used to determine whether you have thrombocytopenia: Blood test. A complete blood count determines the number of blood cells, including platelets, in a sample of your blood. Physical exam, including a complete medical history. Your doctor will look for signs of bleeding under your skin and feel your abdomen to see if your spleen is enlarged. He or she will also ask you about illnesses you've had and the types of medications and supplements you've recently taken. Your doctor might suggest other tests and procedures to determine the cause of your condition, depending on your signs and symptoms. TreatmentThrombocytopenia can last for days or years. People with mild thrombocytopenia might not need treatment. For people who do need treatment for thrombocytopenia, treatment depends on its cause and how severe it is. If your thrombocytopenia is caused by an underlying condition or a medication, addressing that cause might cure it. For example, if you have heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, your doctor can prescribe a different blood-thinning drug. Other treatments might involve: Blood or platelet transfusions. If your platelet level becomes too low, your doctor can replace lost blood with transfusions of packed red blood cells or platelets. Medications. If your condition is related to an immune system problem, your doctor might prescribe drugs to boost your platelet count. The first-choice drug might be a corticosteroid. If that doesn't work, stronger medications can be used to suppress your immune system. Surgery. If other treatments don't help, your doctor might recommend surgery to remove your spleen (splenectomy). Plasma exchange. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura can result in a medical emergency requiring plasma exchange. More InformationBlood transfusionSplenectomy Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email Address 1 ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry Lifestyle and home remediesIf you have thrombocytopenia, try to: Avoid activities that could cause injury. Ask your doctor which activities are safe for you. Contact sports, such as boxing, martial arts and football, carry a high risk of injury. Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. Alcohol slows the production of platelets in your body. Ask your doctor whether it's OK for you to drink alcohol. Use caution with over-the-counter medications. Over-the-counter pain medications, such as aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) can prevent platelets from working properly. Preparing for your appointmentStart by seeing your primary care doctor, who can manage most cases of thrombocytopenia. In certain situations, he or she might refer you to a specialist in blood diseases (hematologist). Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment. What you can doWhen you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet. Make a list of: Warning signs you've noticed, such as any unusual bruising or bleeding or any rashes, and when they began Key personal information, including recent illnesses or medical procedures such as a blood transfusion, major stresses or recent life changes All medications, vitamins and other supplements you take, including doses Questions to ask your doctor Take along a family member or friend, if possible, to help you remember the information you receive. For thrombocytopenia, questions to ask your doctor include: How many platelets do I have in my blood? Is my platelet count dangerously low? What is causing my thrombocytopenia? Do I need more tests? Is my condition likely temporary or chronic? What are my treatment options? What will happen if I do nothing? Are there any restrictions that I need to follow? Are there printed materials I can have? What websites do you recommend? By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an appointment Symptoms & causesDoctors & departments April 19, 2022 Print Living with thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)? Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Blood Cancers & Disorders support group on Mayo Clinic Connect, a patient community. Blood Cancers & Disorders Discussions Anyone else have Mantle Cell Lymphoma? 90 Replies Sat, Dec 21, 2024 chevron-right Polycythemia Vera and Nutritional Ketosis 55 Replies Sat, Dec 21, 2024 chevron-right Does anyone else have MGUS? 874 Replies Sat, Dec 21, 2024 chevron-right See more discussions Show references Thrombocytopenia and platelet dysfunction. The Merck Manual Professional Edition. http://www.merckmanuals.com. Accessed Feb. 20, 2015. George JN, et al. Approach to the adult with unexplained thrombocytopenia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Feb. 18, 2015. AskMayoExpert. Thrombocytopenia. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2015. Thrombocytopenia. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/book/export/html/4876. Accessed Feb. 23, 2015. AskMayoExpert. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) (Adult and pediatric). Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2014. E. coli. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. www.foodsafety.gov. Accessed Feb. 23, 2015. AskMayoExpert. Immune thrombocytopenia. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2014. Related Associated Procedures Blood transfusion Splenectomy Products & Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)Symptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatmentDoctors&departments Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. 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There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email Address 1 ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry