Hepatitis C is the most frequent cause of chronic liver disease in the US and is often associated with low platelets. Interferon, a common treatment for hepatitis C, may also cause low platelets. If you have hepatitis C and low platelets, you may not be able to start or continue treatment with interferon. For people with hepatitis C, treatments for low platelets include:
Watch and wait. Your doctor will watch out for low platelet counts and possible bleeding and wait to see if you need treatment.
Reduction in the amount of interferon. Your doctor may give you less interferon so your platelet count can increase.
Stop or delay treatment. If your platelet count is very low, your doctor may stop or delay your interferon treatment. This allows the number of platelets to increase.
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.
Possible new treatments in the future. Medical research into new treatments may provide other choices.
