ITP

ITP or Immune Thrombocytopenia is a disorder that can lead to easy or excessive bruising and bleeding. The bleeding results from unusually low levels of platelets — the cells that help blood clot.

Overview

Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a condition that causes a decrease in the number of platelets in the blood. Platelets are cells that help the blood to clot, and a decrease in their number can lead to easy or excessive bruising and bleeding. ITP is an autoimmune disease, meaning it is caused by the body's immune system attacking its own cells.

Causes

The exact cause of ITP is unknown. However, it is believed to be related to a malfunction in the immune system. In people with ITP, the immune system mistakenly targets and destroys platelets, which are necessary for normal blood clotting.

Symptoms

Symptoms of ITP can vary greatly from person to person. Some people with ITP may have no symptoms at all, while others may experience symptoms such as:

• Easy or excessive bruising
• Superficial bleeding into the skin that appears as a rash of pinpoint-sized reddish-purple spots
• Prolonged bleeding from cuts
• Spontaneous bleeding from the gums or nose
• Blood in urine or stools
• Unusually heavy menstrual flow

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of ITP is typically made through a complete blood count (CBC) test, which measures the number of each type of blood cell in a sample of blood. In people with ITP, the number of platelets will be lower than normal.

Treatment

Treatment for ITP is aimed at increasing the number of platelets in the blood to a safe level, not necessarily to a normal level. Treatment options may include medications to boost platelet production, medications to suppress the immune system, surgery to remove the spleen (splenectomy), or other treatments depending on the individual's specific symptoms and overall health.

See Also

• Autoimmune diseases
• Blood disorders
• Platelets