ThrombocytopeniaSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Thrombocytopenia
Thrombocytopenia means there is an abnormally low amount of platelets. Platelets are parts of the blood that help blood to clot. This condition is sometimes associated with abnormal bleeding.
Low platelet count - thrombocytopenia
Thrombocytopenia is often divided into 3 major causes of low platelets:
- Not enough platelets are made in the bone marrow
- Increased removal of platelets in the bloodstream
- Increased trapping of platelets in the spleen or liver
Your bone marrow may not make enough platelets if you have any of the following conditions:
- Aplastic anemia (disorder in which the bone marrow does not make enough blood cells)
- Cancer in the bone marrow, such as leukemia
- Folate deficiency
- Infections in the bone marrow (very rare)
- Myelodysplastic syndrome (bone marrow does not make enough blood cells or makes defective cells)
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
The use of certain medicines may also lead to a low production of platelets in the bone marrow. The most common example is chemotherapy treatment for cancer.
The following health situations cause a low number of platelets:
- Disorder in which the proteins that control blood clotting become over active, most often during a serious illness (disseminated intravascular coagulation - DIC)
- Drug-induced low platelet count
- Enlarged spleen
- Disorder in which the immune system destroys platelets (immune thrombocytopenic purpura - ITP)
- Disorder that causes blood clots to form in small blood vessels, causing a low platelet count (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura - TTP)
- Cirrhosis – this can cause enlargement of the spleen due to scarring in the liver and leads to increased trapping of platelets in the spleen
You may not have any symptoms. Or you may have general symptoms, such as:
- Bleeding in the mouth and gums
- Bruising
- Nosebleeds
- Petechiae (rash-red spots typically on the extremities due to low platelets)
Other symptoms depend on the cause.
The treatment depends on the cause of the condition. In some cases, a transfusion of platelets may be required to stop or prevent bleeding.
Duke Hematology Clinic - Clinic 1E
Gowthami Arepally is a Hematologist practicing medicine in Durham, North Carolina. She has been practicing medicine for over 37 years. Dr. Arepally is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thrombocytopenia. She is also highly rated in 24 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Thrombocytopenia, Sickle Cell Disease, Adult Immune Thrombocytopenia, and Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). Dr. Arepally is board certified in American Board Of Internal Med, Hematology.
Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute
Ruben Mesa is a Hematologist and an Oncologist practicing medicine in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Mesa is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thrombocytopenia. He is also highly rated in 17 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Myelofibrosis, Polycythemia Vera, Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN), Bone Marrow Transplant, and Splenectomy. Dr. Mesa is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine, Hematology. Dr. Mesa is currently accepting new patients.
Duke Hematology Clinic - Clinic 1E
I primarily see patients who have a variety of rare bleeding and clotting disorders. I see both older and younger patients and also provide help when patients need to transition to and away from blood thinners. Doctors usually refer patients to me. I try to work with each patient so they understand why they are seeing me and what is going on with their body. I enjoy when a patient can leave my office with a complete understanding of what is going on and what they need to do to get better. As a young child, I had bad allergies and spent much time in the doctor’s office. As a frequent patient, I enjoyed spending time around medicine. As I entered college, I found that I enjoyed chemistry and that hematology allowed me to combine lab work with patient care. Dr. Ortel is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thrombocytopenia. He is also highly rated in 24 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Venous Thromboembolism (VTE), Antiphospholipid Syndrome, Thrombocytopenia, Thrombectomy, and Thalamotomy. Dr. Ortel is board certified in American Board Of Internal Med, Hematology and American Board Of Internal Med, Internal Medicine.
The outcome depends on the disorder causing the low platelet counts.
Severe bleeding (hemorrhage) is the main complication. Bleeding may occur in the brain or gastrointestinal tract.
Contact your provider if you experience unexplained bleeding or bruising.
Prevention depends on the specific cause.
Summary: This randomized clinical trial evaluates if low-dose sirolimus (target trough 4-8 ng/mL) combined with prednisolone is noninferior in efficacy but superior in safety compared to standard high-dose sirolimus (target trough 10-15 ng/mL) combined with prednisolone in pediatric patients with kaposiform hemangioendothelioma and Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon (KHE with KMP), with participants randomized 1:...
Summary: The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if sirolimus, added to standard background therapy (corticosteroids and hydroxychloroquine), works to treat systemic lupus erythematosus-associated immune thrombocytopenia (SLE-ITP) in adults aged 18 to 65 years. The study also aims to evaluate the long-term effectiveness and safety of sirolimus over 48 weeks. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1....
Published Date: January 29, 2026
Published By: Warren Brenner, MD, Oncologist, Lynn Cancer Institute, Boca Raton, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Abrams CS. Thrombocytopenia. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 158.
Branchford BR, Samelson-Jones BJ, Flood VH. Platelet and blood vessel disorders. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 533.
Warkentin TE. Thrombocytopenia caused by hypersplenism, platelet destruction, or surgery/hemodilution. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 130.
Zeller MP, Ning S, Arnold DM, Gabe C. Diseases of platelet number: immune thrombocytopenia, neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, and posttransfusion purpura. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 129.