Immune thrombocytopenia is a bleeding disorder in which the immune system attacks and destroys platelets, the cells that initiate the first phase of clotting. If these decrease, bleeding problems can occur. In this opportunity, Dr. José Caravedo, hematologist of Clinica Ricardo Palma, gives us more information on the subject.

Causes

Usually, the decrease in platelets is associated with the destruction of platelets by the presence of antibodies; these antibodies may be secondary to the use of drugs, infectious diseases, inflammatory diseases, such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, or Rheumatoid Arthritis. However, most of the time the triggering factor is not known.

Grades of thrombocytopenia

Thrombocytopenia has various degrees, the normal value being between 150,000 to 400,000 platelets per microliter of blood. These grades are:

1. Mild thrombocytopenia: 80,000 to 149,000 platelets per microliter of blood.
2. Moderate thrombocytopenia: 20,000 to 79,000 platelets per microliter of blood.
3. Severe thrombocytopenia: less than 20,000 platelets per microliter of blood.

Symptoms

Symptoms do not usually occur in patients with mild thrombocytopenia, but do occur in some patients with moderate thrombocytopenia and in all patients with severe thrombocytopenia; these symptoms are:

• Bruising without bruising (ecchymosis)
• Small purplish-red dots on the skin (petechiae)
• Bleeding from the nose (epistaxis) or bleeding from the gums (gingivorrhages)

Diagnosis

It is diagnosed with the aforementioned clinical picture and a platelet count of

Remember that if you have the above symptoms and a low platelet count, you should see a specialist and not self-medicate.

Dr. José Caravedo
Hematologist of Clínica Ricardo Palma