Arthur Nathaniel Billings blood disorder ITP health recommendations right now? What is ITP? Immune thrombocytopenia (formerly known as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura) is a medical term for an autoimmune disorder (immune) causing a shortage of platelets (thrombocytopenia) and bruising (purpura). What is the cause of ITP? ITP is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakes the platelets as being foreign and destroys them. It can follow a virus, vaccination or certain medications, but for most people the cause is unknown.

Arthur Nathaniel Billings on blood disorder treatments : What are platelets? There are three types of blood cell which are all formed in the bone marrow; red cells, white cells and platelets. Platelets, which are small and sticky and circulate in the bloodstream provide the inital plug to stop bruising and bleeding after an injury, and stop blood leaking from capilleries. A blood sample is taken to measure the circulating platelets, and in most people there are between 150,000 and 400,000 platelets in every cubic millimetre of blood. However in the USA we simplify this by describing a platelet count of, say, 150 rather than 150,000. Anyone with a count less than 100 would be considered thrombocytopenic (ie. short of platelets).

First line treatment is typically with tablet steroids such as prednisolone. About 70-80% of individuals will respond to steroids and initial treatment will usually be for 6-8 weeks, although the dose will be reduced during that time, rather than stopped suddenly. Steroids can have side effects. You may not have side effects but these can include gastric irritation (we may recommend an additional tablet to protect the lining of the stomach), mood or sleep disruption, greater risk of infection, fluid retention, increased appetite, increased blood sugar or blood pressure, muscle weakness and thinning of the bones. For some individuals, we may also recommend additional treatment to protect the bones while on steroids.

The symptoms of ITP may look like other medical problems. Always consult your health care provider for a diagnosis. How is idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura diagnosed? In addition to a complete medical history and physical exam, you may have these tests: Complete blood count (CBC). A measurement of size, number, and maturity of different blood cells in a specific volume of blood (to measure platelets. Additional blood and urine tests. These tests are done to measure bleeding time and detect possible infections, including a special blood test called an antiplatelet antibody test. Read extra details at Arthur Billings.

Chronic thrombocytopenic purpura. The onset of the disorder can happen at any age, and the symptoms can last a minimum of 6 months, several years, or a lifetime. Adults have this form more often than children do, but it does affect adolescents. Females have it more often than males. Chronic ITP can recur often and requires continual follow-up care with a blood specialist (hematologist). What causes idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura? In ITP, the immune system is stimulated to attack your body’s own platelets. Most often this is a result of antibody production against platelets. In a small number of cases, a type of white blood cell called T-cells will directly attack platelets. This immune system error may be a result of any of the following.