Information

ITP has a minion!

Bloodrush the Hartz

ITP
Legacy Name: ITP

The

Bloodred Blob
Owner:

Dracona

Age: 16 years, 9 months, 1 day

Born: July 25th, 2007

Adopted: 16 years, 9 months, 1 day ago (Legacy)

Adopted: July 25th, 2007 (Legacy)

Pet Spotlight Winner
March 21st, 2022

Statistics

Level: 81
Strength: 148
Defense: 36
Speed: 30
Health: 66
HP: 66/66
Intelligence: 271
Books Read: 250
Food Eaten: 1
Job: Certified Mad Scientist

profile

ITP stands for Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura.
ITP used to be known as Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura.
Idiopathic means the cause is unknown. However they now know it is caused by an immune system problem.

ITP is an immune disorder where the body attacks its own cells and the blood doesn't clot as it should. In this case the platelets that make your blood clot, and can cause excessive bruising and bleeding. This is due to a low number of blood cell fragments called platelets or thrombocytes. Platelets are made in your bone marrow along with other kinds of blood cells. They stick together (clot) to seal shut cuts or breaks on blood vessel walls and stop bleeding. This is problematic for even everyday events such as stubbing a toe, going to the dentist, or having a blood test. Pregnancy can cause major problems and needs close monitoring. Even scratching can cause tiny red dots to appear (petechiae) when capillaries do not clot as fast as people without ITP.

Normally, your immune system helps your body fight off infections and diseases. But if you have ITP, your immune system attacks and destroys your own platelets. The reason why is still a very grey area. It might be caused by an infection, or in some cases it is linked to another condition, such as Lupus Erythematosus, Antiphospholipid Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis, or Evans Syndrome. Young women make the highest group to be diagnosed.

ITP can't be passed from one person to another. Children may develop ITP after a viral infection and usually recover fully without treatment. In adults, the disorder is usually for life. It can also come in waves. For months or years at a time, an adult usually, will have ITP that needs steroid treatment to raise the platelet level. Then for no discernable reason it may appear to resolve itself. However occasional blood platelet checks may be needed for life.

How can you help if friends/family have ITP?

- Listen - Sometimes people with ITP just need to vent.
- Practical Help - ITP causes weariness and exhaustion. Helping around the house, cleaning or cooking is a huge help.
- Support Loved Ones - Some of the treatments for ITP can drastically change a persons personality. Make sure their close family are ok too.
- Sleep - Due to the exhaustion, those with ITP tend to sleep more and need to take naps.
- Illness - Some treatments involve crippling the immune system, so please be aware of any illness you have before visiting someone with ITP and notify them.
- Advice - As with all chronic illnesses, the person diagnosed will have very likely researched all good and bad treatments available. This includes home remedies, meditation, crystals, or that amazing plant on the internet. Giving advice can be condescending, so be gentle, and don't take it to heart if they don't follow your advice.
- Mindfulness - Remember that it's someone's private information and don't share without permission.

science

Usually, platelet counts are between 150,000 and 500,000/μl blood in children but may be higher in infants. Thrombocytopenia is most likely to be secondary to an autoimmune process and rarely is due to a congenital disease.