Treatment

Reactive thrombocytosis

Treatment for this condition depends on the cause.

• If you've had significant blood loss from a recent surgery or an injury, your elevated platelet count might resolve on its own.
• If you have a chronic infection or an inflammatory disease, your platelet count likely will remain high until the condition is under control. In most cases, your platelet count will return to normal after the cause is resolved.
• If you've had your spleen removed (splenectomy), you might have lifelong thrombocytosis, but you're unlikely to need treatment.

Essential thrombocythemia

People with this condition who have no signs or symptoms are unlikely to need treatment as long as the condition is stable. Your doctor might recommend that you take daily, low-dose aspirin to help thin your blood if you're at risk of blood clots. Don't take aspirin without checking with your doctor.

You might need to take drugs or have procedures to lower your platelet counts if you:

• Have a history of blood clots and bleeding
• Have risk factors for heart disease
• Are older than 60
• Have a platelet count greater than 1 million

Your doctor might prescribe platelet-lowering drugs primarily in the form of hydroxyurea (Droxia, Hydrea) or interferon alfa (Intron A).

Platelets can be removed from your blood by a procedure that’s similar to dialysis. A needle connected to a tube is placed in a vein and your blood is fed through a machine that filters out platelets. Then the filtered blood is returned to your body through an intravenous (IV) line. This procedure is used only in emergencies, such as if essential thrombocythemia has caused a stroke.