Top rated blood disorder health recommendations by Arthur Nathaniel Billings? How is ITP diagnosed? ITP is usually diagnosed by a blood test showing that only the platelet count is low, and the platelets, red blood cells and white blood cells all look normal. A bone marrow biopsy may be taken at a later stage if the ITP continues, in which a small sample of bone marrow will be taken under local anaesthetic and examined under the microscope. Additional blood tests may be taken at this time to exclude rare clotting or immune diseases that can mimic ITP. If the bone marrow looks normal, with the usual or higher number of platelet parent cells (megakaryocytes) and other blood tests are normal then the doctor will diagnose chronic ITP.

Arthur Nathaniel Billings about 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).

Symptoms of ITP: If the platelet count is in the range 50–100 × 109/l there is usually no bleeding or bruising. If the platelet count falls below 50 × 109/l, some bruising may occur, and below 20 ×109/l, bruising and petechiae (pinpoint blood spots under the skin) are more likely. Bleeding may occur from mucous membranes such as the nose and gums while female patients may suffer with heavy periods. The most serious bleeding tends to occur in patients with a platelet count <10 × 109/l. However, with ITP most patients with platelets less than 10 × 109/l still have no major bleeding problems.

How is idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura treated? Specific treatment for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura will be determined by your health care provider based on: Your age, overall health, and medical history; Extent of the disease; Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies; Expectations for the course of the disease; Your opinion or preference. When treatment is necessary, the two most common forms of immediate treatment are steroids and intravenous gamma globulin. Read more information at Arthur Nathaniel Billings.

What is immune thrombocytopenic purpura? Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a blood disorder characterized by a decrease in the number of platelets in the blood. Platelets are cells in the blood that help stop bleeding. A decrease in platelets can cause easy bruising, bleeding gums, and internal bleeding. This disease is caused by an immune reaction against one’s own platelets. It has also been called autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura.