Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a blood disorder where your immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys your platelets, the cells responsible for blood clotting. As a result, people with ITP often experience easy bruising, excessive bleeding, and small red or purple spots on the skin known as petechiae. These symptoms occur because your blood isn’t clotting as it should.
ITP can develop when your body’s immune system, which typically protects you from infections, starts attacking healthy platelets by mistake. While the exact cause isn’t always known, ITP can sometimes follow viral infections or be linked to autoimmune diseases, medications, or pregnancy.
In some cases, ITP may not cause any noticeable symptoms, and people may only find out they have it through routine blood tests.
Diagnosing ITP typically involves blood tests to measure your platelet count and rule out other potential causes of low platelets. Once diagnosed, the treatment approach will depend on the severity of your condition. Mild cases may not require treatment, while more severe cases may be managed with:
Dr. Karthik Rengaraj is a renowned Hematology Consultant with over a decade of experience, specializing in advanced treatment for blood disorders, committed to compassionate care and innovative research.
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