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Medical Author:

Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPH

Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPH

Dr. Nabili received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), majoring in chemistry and biochemistry. He then completed his graduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His graduate training included a specialized fellowship in public health where his research focused on environmental health and health-care delivery and management.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical treatment for any underlying cause of thrombocytopenia plays a key role in its treatment if at all possible. For example, treating sepsis (infections), lupus, or leukemia may be an essential part of treatment for low platelet count due to these causes.

Medication-induced thrombocytopenia may be treated by discontinuation of the culprit medication under the direction of the physician. This is especially important in patients with HIT, which normally happens in the hospital setting in patients who are receiving blood thinners for other medical reasons. If this diagnosis is correctly made, then any heparin products [heparin, enoxaparin (Lovenox) must be discontinued immediately, and the patient may not receive any of these products in the future.

In severe ITP, steroids are usually used to weaken the immune system in order to depress the autoimmune attack on platelets. Intravenous antibodies or immunoglobulin (IVIG) can also be used at times for the same reason if the condition is not responsive to steroids. Splenectomy (removal of the spleen) may be recommended in cases unresponsive to other treatments.

Plasma exchange (plasmapheresis) is the treatment for TTP and HUS. In these conditions, platelet transfusion is not routinely recommended because this could prolong the course of the disease.

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