Symptoms of Immune Thrombocytopenia

Signs You May Have ITP

Symptoms may begin to appear when platelet levels are very low. According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), symptoms of ITP can include:

• Bruising or purple spots on the skin that occur very easily or for no known reason. These bruises are called purpura and may also appear in the mouth.
• Small red dots that resemble a rash. These dots, called petechiae, are actually caused by bleeding underneath the skin as a result of damage to blood vessels or leaks in a capillary wall.
• Frequent nosebleeds that are difficult to stop.
• Bleeding from the gums
• Unusually long menstrual cycle or heavy menstrual bleeding
• Hematoma, or a pooling of clotted or partially clotted blood under the skin. A hematoma can cause pain and swelling.
• Blood in urine, stool, or vomit

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Mental Health Effects of ITP

According to the Platelet Disorder Support Association (PDSA), the excessive bleeding that comes with ITP can lead to anemia, a condition characterized by low levels of red blood cells. In people with anemia, there aren’t enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to the body’s tissues. This often results in extreme fatigue and low energy levels.

Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety are also common in people with ITP, the PDSA reports. This can lead to social anxiety and difficulties concentrating at work or school. It’s not known whether these are symptoms of the disease itself, the result of anxiety, or side effects of medication.

Symptoms of Brain Bleeds

According to the Cleveland Clinic, symptoms of brain bleeds may include:

• Sudden numbness, weakness, or paralysis in the face, arm, or leg, especially if it is on one side of the body
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Difficulty swallowing
• Trouble seeing or loss of vision
• Slurred speech
• Loss of balance
• Seizures
• Sensitivity to light
• Stiff neck
• Trouble reading, writing, or understanding speech
• Difficulty breathing
• Loss of consciousness

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An intracranial hemorrhage is a medical emergency and can be fatal. If you or a loved one experiences these symptoms, it is important to get to your local emergency room immediately.