ITP Symptoms
What are the symptoms of ITP?
The symptoms of immune thrombocytopenia can be very different for different individuals. In general, the severity of symptoms will vary according to how far the platelet count is below the normal range.
- If the platelet count is in the range 50,000-150,000 platelets per cubic millimetre of blood there is usually no bleeding or bruising and the patient may not be aware of the condition.
- If the platelet count falls below 50,000 some bruising may occur.
- Below 20,000, bruising and petechiae (pinpoint blood spots under the skin) are more likely. 1,2,3
Common symptoms
- Fatigue 1,2
- Bruising that is unexpected or unusually severe
- Petechiae – rash of tiny red or purple spots
- Purpura – red or purple discoloured spots on the skin
- Prolonged or excessive bleeding from cuts
- Nosebleeds
- Bleeding gums
- Black blisters in the mouth
- For female patients, heavy periods
Rare symptoms
- Blood in the urine 1,3
- Blood in the stools
- Bleeding from the ears
- Bleeding in the eyes
- Thrombosis (when platelets block the flow of blood through a blood vessel)
- Serious internal bleeding such as bleeding into the brain
How is ITP Diagnosed?
References
1 Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) World Impact Survey (I-WISh): Impact of ITP on health-related quality of life. Cooper N, Kruse A, Kruse C, Watson S, Morgan M, Provan D, Ghanima W, Arnold DM, Tomiyama Y, Santoro C, Michel M, Laborde S, Lovrencic B, Hou M, Bailey T, Taylor-Stokes G, Haenig J, Bussel JB. Am J Hematol. 2021 Feb 1;96(2):199-207. doi: 10.1002/ajh.26036. Epub 2020 Dec 19. PMID: 33107998
2 ITP Support Association. ITP in adults. Available at:
https://www.itpsupport.org.uk/index.php/en/itp-in-adults
3 Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP): Current Limitations in Patient Management. Terrell DR, Neunert CE, Cooper N, Heitink-Pollé KM, Kruse C, Imbach P, Kühne T, Ghanima W. Medicina (Kaunas). 2020 Nov 30;56(12):667. doi: 10.3390/medicina56120667. PMID: 33266286