Treatment for Immune Thrombocytopenia
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Treatment for Immune Thrombocytopenia

Treatment for Immune Thrombocytopenia
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Updated on August 25, 2023
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Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a bleeding disorder in which there is a shortage of platelets, the blood cells responsible for clotting, according to MedlinePlus.

The condition typically results when the immune system mistakenly attacks itself, destroying its own platelets, according to the Mayo Clinic.

 In children, this usually occurs after a viral infection. In adults, certain conditions can trigger ITP, such as HIV, hepatitis, or an infection with H. pylori, a bacteria that causes stomach ulcers.
Because blood doesn’t clot normally, people with ITP can experience internal and external bleeding, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

 This may manifest as excessive bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding from the gums, and unusually heavy menstruation.

8 Things People With Immune Thrombocytopenia Should Know

If you've been diagnosed with ITP here is what you need to know.
8 Things People With Immune Thrombocytopenia Should Know

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If your platelet count isn’t too low and you’re not experiencing symptoms of ITP, you may not need any treatment at all.

 Your doctor will work with you to monitor your platelet levels.

Many children with ITP recover on their own without treatment. In adults, ITP is often chronic and requires treatment.

Medication Options for Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP)

There is no cure for ITP, but there are effective ways to manage it. One of these strategies is to use medication. Medications include the following:

  • Oral Corticosteroids These may include prednisone (Deltasone), dexamethasone (Decadron), and methylprednisolone (Medrol) and are usually the first line of treatment for ITP, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).

     These drugs can get your platelets back to safe levels, but are only recommended for short-term use because they can increase your risk of a number of health conditions, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, infections, and osteoporosis.

  • Immune Globulin If your body doesn’t respond to corticosteroids, immune globulin is an option. According to NORD, this medication is administered intravenously (through an IV) on an as-needed basis, usually for one to two days. Immune globulin can be used in an emergency if you have critical bleeding or need to up your platelet levels right away, according to the Mayo Clinic.

  • Drugs to Raise Platelet Count Certain medications can boost platelet production. These include romiplostim (Nplate), eltrombopag (Promacta), and rituximab (Rituxan, Truxima).

Surgery for Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP)

In severe cases of ITP, your doctor may recommend the removal of your spleen.

 This is a procedure called a splenectomy.

The spleen is an organ responsible for producing antibodies that fight infections. In people with ITP, these antibodies attack platelets by mistake. Removal of the spleen will therefore eliminate this problem and get platelets back to a normal level.

The surgery does not come without risk, however, as not having a spleen can increase your chance of infection.

 If you and your doctor decide a splenectomy is the best course of action, you may be given vaccines before the procedure to prevent infection. You will also need periodic vaccines specifically because your spleen was removed.

Lifestyle Changes With Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP)

When living with ITP, it’s important to prevent injuries, and especially head injuries, as brain bleeds can be fatal.

 It's especially important to prevent head injuries, as brain bleeds can be fatal.

Avoid contact sports that can lead to head injuries, such as boxing, football, and karate. Generally, swimming, cycling with a helmet, and walking are considered safe forms of physical activity.

Always talk to your doctor before you take any new medication, vitamin, supplement, or herbal remedy, as some of these may increase your risk of bleeding. Your doctor may tell you to avoid aspirin and ibuprofen for this reason.

Stay in touch with your healthcare team, which may include a hematologist, or specialist in blood disorders. If you had your spleen removed and experience any sign of infection, such as fever, tell your doctor right away.

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Anna-Hurst-bio

Anna C.E. Hurst, MD, MS, FACMG

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor
Anna C. E. Hurst, MD, is a medical geneticist with board certification in clinical genetics and pediatrics. She is an associate professor in the department of genetics at University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and an adjunct faculty member at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. Prior to medical school, she received a master’s degree in genetic counseling, which inspired her interest in the communication of genetic information to patients and families with rare diseases.

Dr. Hurst is a physician for the UAB Undiagnosed Disease program, Turner syndrome clinic, and general genetics clinic, and she provides hospital consultations for inpatients at UAB and Children’s of Alabama for general genetics and inborn errors of metabolism. She also is the medical geneticist for the Smith Family Clinic for Genomic Medicine in Huntsville, Alabama.

Hurst's research focuses on expanding the availability of genomic sequencing for children with complex healthcare needs. She also has an interest in how the patient’s physical exam and facial features can be clues to a rare disease diagnosis (dysmorphology) and serves on the scientific advisory board of Facial Dysmorphology Novel Analysis. She has published over 45 peer-reviewed articles in the field of medical genetics, largely focused on the clinical delineation of rare disease phenotypes. She also serves as an associate editor for the American Journal of Medical Genetics.

Hurst is also passionate about education and serves as the program director of the UAB genetics residency programs (categorical, pediatrics-genetics, and internal medicine-genetics) and medical director of the UAB Genetic Counseling Training program. She is an officer with the Association of Professors in Human Medical Genetics.
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Ashley Welch has more than a decade of experience in both breaking news and long-form storytelling. She is passionate about getting to the crux of the latest scientific studies and sharing important information in an easy-to-digest way to better inform decision-making. She has written about health, science, and wellness for a variety of outlets, including Scientific American Mind, Healthline, New York Family, Oprah.com, and WebMD.

She served as the health editor for CBSNews.com for several years as a reporter, writer, and editor of daily health news articles and features. As a former staff member at Everyday Health, she covered a wide range of chronic conditions and diseases.

Welch holds a bachelor's degree from Fordham University and a master's degree from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York, where she studied health and science reporting. She enjoys yoga and is an aspiring runner.

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Resources
  1. Immune Thrombocytopenia. MedlinePlus.
  2. Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP): Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic.
  3. Immune Thrombocytopenia. Cleveland Clinic.
  4. Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP): Diagnosis and Treatment. Mayo Clinic.
  5. Immune Thrombocytopenia. National Organization for Rare Disorders.
Additional Sources