ITP: low platelets due to immune destruction—bruising/bleeding symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
- Symptoms: easy bruising, petechiae (tiny red spots), nose/gum bleeding, heavy periods.
- Diagnosis is by CBC and exclusion of other causes of low platelets.
- Treatment ranges from observation to steroids/IVIG and other platelet-raising medicines.
ITP (immune thrombocytopenia) happens when the immune system mistakenly destroys platelets. Platelets are needed for normal clotting, so low counts can cause bruising or bleeding.
Many people have mild ITP and only need monitoring. Doctors focus on bleeding symptoms, not just the platelet number.
If treatment is needed, steroids or IVIG can raise platelets quickly. Longer-term options include thrombopoietin receptor agonists and other immune-targeting therapies.