Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Immune Thrombocytopenia

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By Editorial Team

3 min read

Appointments go fast. If you have ever left one and thought of your real question in the parking lot, you are not alone. Use the questions below as a starting point, and bring the ones that matter most to you.

Getting your questions ready for your visit

Write your questions down ahead of time and put the most important ones first. Bring a list of every drug and supplement you take. If you can, bring someone with you to take notes.

Knowledge is power when you are managing immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), and asking questions is a key step in managing your condition.1

Diagnosis questions

Questions about your diagnosis or condition may include:2

  • What was my platelet count, and what was it last time?
  • What other conditions did you rule out, and how?
  • Is my ITP primary, or is it related to another condition?
  • Would you describe my ITP as newly diagnosed, persistent, or chronic?
  • How often will you check my counts from here?

Do I need treatment now?

Treatment decisions should be based on your symptoms, not on your platelet count alone, and mild bruising with no other symptoms may call for watching and waiting.3

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These questions can help you understand where you land:

  • Do I need treatment right now, or can we watch and wait?
  • What platelet count or symptom would change that answer?
  • What are the risks of waiting?

Your doctor’s approach

These are fair to ask, especially with a new doctor:1

  • Experience – How many people with ITP have you treated?
  • Philosophy – Is your approach more conservative or more aggressive?
  • Collaboration – Do you welcome questions and information I bring in?
  • Specialty care – Are you affiliated with a hospital or research group that focuses on blood disorders?

Exploring your treatment options

Some questions you may want to ask about your treatment options include:1

  • What do you recommend, and why that option first?
  • How is it given, and how long would I be on it?
  • Is this meant to raise my count temporarily, or to keep it up long term?
  • How will we know it is working?
  • What happens if it does not work well enough?
  • Are there other approved options we have not discussed?

Side effects and safety

You may have further questions about the safety and potential side effects of certain treatment options, such as:1

  • What side effects should I expect?
  • Which ones mean I should call you right away?
  • Is there anything I can do to reduce them?
  • Could this treatment cause other medical problems?
  • Are there drugs or supplements I should avoid while on it?

Daily life

There may be some lifestyle changes or changes to your daily life that you may want to know about as soon as possible. Some questions you have may include:1

  • What lifestyle changes should I make because of ITP or its treatment?
  • Are there activities or sports I should avoid?
  • Can I still take over-the-counter pain relievers?
  • What should I tell my dentist or a surgeon before a procedure?
  • I am often exhausted. Is that related, and what can help?
  • What should I do if I am traveling and something goes wrong?

Looking at the road ahead

You may be curious about your prognosis, from achieving remission to finding emotional support when you need it. A few questions you might ask include:

  • What does the next year likely look like for me?
  • Can ITP go into remission, and what would that mean for my care?
  • Would a clinical trial make sense for me?
  • Who do I contact between visits, and how?
  • Is there a support group or patient organization you recommend?

Remember that these are not all the questions you may find worth asking, and no list replaces a conversation. Your doctor can tell you what applies to your situation.

Talking with your doctor

You will not get through every question in one visit, and you do not have to. Try picking your top 3, ask them first, and save the rest for next time. If an answer does not make sense, say so and ask for it in plainer words. Good care is a two-way conversation, built on open communication between you and your doctor.3

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