Arthur Billings blood disorder solutions right now? 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 on blood disorder treatments : Many people with ITP have a platelet count in single figures, and on rare occasions there are not enough circulating platelets to be counted, thus the count is given as 0. The number of platelets circulating in our bodies fluctuates all the time, and thus no two consecutive platelet counts are likely to be exactly the same either in a healthy person or in an ITP sufferer. What is the difference between ITP and hæmophilia? Haemophilia is inherited and permanent, ITP is not inherited, and can go into remission. Hæmophilia patients are deficient in one of the 12 factors which act together to form a blood clot. ITP patients are short of platelets which work independently as the initial plug to stop blood leakage, but the rest of the clotting mechanism works normally. Platelet infusions are only used in emergencies as transfused platelets, like the patient’s own platelets, are destroyed by their immune system in a matter of hours.
Diagnosis of ITP: There is no single blood test that can prove you have ITP, and it remains a diagnosis of exclusion based on history, examination and the results of your initial tests. Investigations are mainly blood tests and are focused on looking for underlying causes of low platelets (other causes for low platelets include vitamin deficiencies, medication, or a bone marrow abnormality). If there are any unusual features on initial tests, we may recommend a bone marrow examination, which is a day unit procedure where we take a small sample of marrow from the pelvic bone under local anaesthetic.
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 extra info at Arthur Nathaniel Billings.
What are the symptoms of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura? Normal platelet count is in the range of 150,000 to 450,000. With ITP, the platelet count is less than 100,000. By the time significant bleeding occurs, you may have a platelet count of less than 10,000. The lower the platelet count, the greater the risk of bleeding. Because platelets help stop bleeding, the symptoms of ITP are related to increased bleeding. However, each person may experience symptoms differently.