Treatment options
The goal of treatment in ET is to reduce the platelet level in order to reduce the risk of excess clotting or bleeding. There are a few different medicines which reduce platelet levels, and your doctor will discuss these with you and assess you at regular intervals to ensure that your treatment is working for you.
If you are feeling well when you are diagnosed with ET, it may seem illogical to take a medicine which may give you side-effects. It is important to remember that your doctor will only prescribe medicines which they consider to be in your best interests.
When prescribing your treatment, your doctor will have considered the possible side-effects and weighed this up against the possible consequences of not treating your ET.
You should discuss your treatment options with your doctor. If you do experience side-effects, it is important that you report them to your doctor.