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Each year hematologists at Mayo Clinic treat hundreds of patients who experience platelet disorders, including idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Skilled pathologists in Mayo's hematopathology laboratory help physicians identify problems a patient might be experiencing. Mayo doctors are also involved in research to improve treatment for ITP.
After a thorough history and physical examination, specialists take blood and sometimes bone marrow samples to be examined in Mayo's hematopathology laboratory to try to understand the cause of the problem. Read more about diagnosis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
Mayo Clinic offers the latest therapeutic approaches, which may include carefully formulated regimens of immunosuppressive drugs and occasionally surgery to remove the spleen. Read more about treatment options for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
Platelets help make up human blood. They circulate through the blood vessels to help stop bleeding by clotting the blood. When platelet numbers are low, abnormal bruising and bleeding can occur. These symptoms occur in a condition known as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura or ITP. (Idiopathic means the cause is unknown and thrombocytopenia means a decrease in blood platelets.) The disease is caused by the body's immune system turning against itself. In ITP, the body produces a substance (antibody) that attaches to platelets. The spleen, which helps fight infections, attacks the platelets and destroys them. Physicians label the condition as ITP only after they have ruled out all known causes of the patient's low platelet count.
Read about low platelet counts at
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