Authors: Morgan Thomas, Vincent S. Gallicchio.
Immune thrombocytopenia is a rare blood disorder in which an individual has a decreased level of platelets due to the immune system destroying the blood-clotting platelets. Platelets function in the body to help clot the blood, but in people with ITP, the body produces antibodies that disrupt and attack the creation, leading to lower levels. The average platelet count ranges from 150,000-400,000 per microliter of blood, but in individuals with ITP, the platelet count is less than 100,000 [1]. This significant decrease in platelet count can cause easy bruising, bleeding, and fatigue, among various symptoms that can disrupt an individual's life. The current diagnosis of ITP is centered on presumptions and excludes other causes of thrombocytopenia due to a variety of acquired and inherited that can present similar symptoms. In some cases, ITP may not cause symptoms, and for most children and adults, ITP is not severe. Acute ITP will typically go away on its own without the need for extensive therapy. In individuals with more advanced cases, or chronic ITP, one may receive a wide range of treatments. The stage of the disorder, current medical history, and genetics all have significant roles in determining the treatment an individual will receive.
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