Thrombocytopenia is a condition characterised by abnormally low levels of platelets, also known as thrombocytes, in the blood. The rare autoimmmune form, which can affect people at any age, is characterised by fatigue, bruising and bleeding. In the UK, around six adults in every 100,000 have ITP.¹ Other forms include those connected to chronic liver disease (CLD) or chemotherapy.  

What is ITP?

The word thrombocytopenia simply means a deficiency of thrombocytes, or platelets. In its autoimmune form, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys its own platelets, leading to a low platelet count.

There are two types of immune thrombocytopenia, based on the cause of the condition. Most adults who are diagnosed with ITP will have primary ITP , an acquired immune disorder, which makes up approximately 80% of adult ITP diagnoses.^2,3 Secondary ITP is more commonly found in children after an inciting event such as a viral or bacterial infection.²

The condition was previously known as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and this term may still be used. 

How is ITP diagnosed?

There are approximately 120 new diagnoses in the UK each year¹, with around 3,000 to 4,000 people in the UK having ITP at any one time.⁵ 

ITP is identified by a diagnosis of exclusion. There is no single blood test that can prove whether a patient has ITP, so it has to be a process of eliminating other possible causes based on a patient’s history, on examinations, and on the results of initial tests. In diagnosing ITP, the healthcare provider will carry out blood tests to identify the underlying causes of low platelets. ITP is diagnosed if blood tests show that only the platelet count is low while the platelets, red blood cells and white blood cells all look normal.⁶

If the diagnosis remains uncertain and ITP continues, a bone marrow biopsy may be considered to rule out other causes for a reduced platelet count.⁷ In this case, a small sample of bone marrow is taken under local anaesthetic and examined under the microscope. 

What causes ITP?

Primary ITP is an autoimmune disease: the immune system mistakes the body’s platelets as being foreign and destroys them.⁸ It usually develops gradually and often without a clear cause.

If ITP arises as a result of another illness, such as a virus, it is called secondary ITP. It can also follow a vaccination or certain medications.⁸

Living with ITP

Immune thrombocytopenia has a substantial, multifaceted impact on patients' quality of life.⁹

The impact of ITP will vary from person to person and the reasons for symptoms may also differ. Fatigue is one of the main symptoms of ITP reported by patients. Various studies show that more than half of those living with ITP experience fatigue that can often interfere with everyday life.⁹

The fatigue experienced by people with autoimmune diseases such as ITP is different from the normal, temporary fatigue we all feel after intense activities such as concentrating for a long time or vigorous exercise, or after a poor night’s sleep. That kind of fatigue goes away with rest. But ITP-related fatigue can be debilitating and can interfere with people’s ability to engage in everyday activities, including going to work, university or socialising.¹⁰

Below you will find inspiring stories and insights from those who live with ITP, as well as links to some useful information.