Transmit power control methods and apparatus are disclosed. In several embodiments, a mobile terminal is configured to effectively ignore “UP” transmit power control commands in the event that the mobile terminal is operating in a power-limited state. In an exemplary method for controlling transmit power at a mobile terminal, a plurality of transmit power control commands are received. An accumulated power control value is adjusted in response to each transmit power control command that directs a negative adjustment in transmit power. However, the accumulated power control value is adjusted in response to a transmit power control command that directs a positive adjustment in transmit power only if the mobile terminal is not in a power-limited state. Transmit power settings for each transmission are calculated based on the accumulated power control value and the one or more radio link parameters.