What are the symptoms of ITP? — Some people with ITP have no symptoms. When people do have symptoms, they can:
- Bleed easily – This commonly includes nosebleeds or bleeding from the mouth or gums. Women with ITP can bleed more than usual during their monthly periods.
- Bruise easily
- Get a rash of tiny red dots – The rash is painless and not bumpy. The dots are usually on the feet and ankles.
In children, symptoms usually start suddenly. In adults, symptoms can start slowly or suddenly.
Is there a test for ITP? — Yes. The doctor or nurse will ask about symptoms and do an exam. He or she will also do blood tests, including a blood test called a “complete blood count (CBC).” One part of the CBC measures the amount of platelets in the body. This is called the platelet count.
To diagnose ITP, the doctor needs to make sure that another condition isn’t causing the symptoms. To get more information, doctors sometimes do a test called a bone marrow biopsy. The bone marrow is the tissue inside your bones. It makes all of the blood cells and platelets. During a bone marrow biopsy, a doctor takes a tiny sample of bone marrow. Then another doctor looks at the sample under a microscope.
How is ITP treated? — Treatment for ITP depends on the person`s age, platelet count, and symptoms.
Children with ITP do not need treatment unless they have a lot of bleeding or have very low platelet counts. For most children, ITP goes away on its own within 6 months. But doctors follow children with ITP closely to make sure the ITP does not get worse or end up needing treatment.
Adults with mild ITP do not usually need treatment. But adults with very low platelet counts or bleeding will most likely need treatment.
Adults who need treatment are first treated with medicines called steroids. (These medicines are different from the steroids athletes take to build muscle.) Even though steroids can help treat ITP, they can also cause problems of their own. The doctor will talk to you about the possible side effects of steroids.
If the ITP doesn’t get better with steroids, doctors can use other treatments. These include:
- A medicine called “intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)” – This medicine helps strengthen the body`s infection-fighting system. Children who need treatment for their ITP are treated with IVIG before they are treated with steroids.
- Surgery to remove the spleen – The spleen is an organ in the body`s infection-fighting system that destroys platelets in ITP
- Medicines that can help the body make more platelets
If these treatments don’t work, other treatments are available.
What else might people with ITP need to do? — Depending on their platelet count and symptoms, people with ITP might need to:
- Avoid certain sports or activities – It`s very important for children to limit their physical activity and not play certain sports, especially contact sports. That`s because children can get hurt by accident. If a person with a very low platelet count gets hurt, he or she can bleed a lot. The doctor will tell you which activities and sports your child should avoid. Adults might also need to limit their activities and sports. People can do their usual sports and activities again when their ITP gets better.
- Avoid taking certain medicines – Some medicines, such as aspirin, affect blood clotting. Your doctor will let you know which prescription and over-the-counter medicines to avoid.
What if I have ITP and want to get pregnant? — If you have ITP and want to get pregnant, talk with your doctor or nurse. Most women with ITP have a normal pregnancy and delivery.
There is a chance that your baby will have a low platelet count after he or she is born. This usually gets better on its own.
