Treatment options for low platelets, or thrombocytopenia, due to chronic liver disease include:
Watch and wait. This is for patients who have mild low platelets and no bleeding. Your doctor will watch out for low platelet counts and possible bleeding and wait to see if you need treatment.
Platelet transfusion. This may be needed if your platelet count is very low. If you need a platelet transfusion, a doctor or nurse will put an IV into your vein. Donor platelets are then pumped through the IV into your blood. You may need to check into the hospital to have this procedure. Transfusions can cause side effects such as fever, hypersensitivity reaction and, occasionally, infection.
