Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura: Diagnosis & Tests (Autoimmune Thrombocytopenia, ITP)

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Category : Health Centers > Blood Disorders and Lymphatic System

Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Alternate Names : Autoimmune Thrombocytopenia, ITP

Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura | Symptoms & Signs | Diagnosis & Tests | Prevention & Expectations | Treatment & Monitoring

How is the disease diagnosed?

ITP is diagnosed based on symptoms and results of blood tests. A complete blood count, or CBC, identifies low platelet counts. The blood can also be tested for platelet autoantibodies to confirm the diagnosis.

If the blood tests do not confirm the diagnosis, a bone marrow biopsy can be performed. During a bone marrow biopsy, a sample of bone marrow is taken from the body and studied. The bone marrow sample should show normal bone marrow and normal amounts of cells that develop into platelets. Because ITP involves platelet destruction in the bloodstream, the results of the bone-marrow tests should remain normal.

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Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura: Symptoms & Signs		Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura: Prevention & Expectations

Author: Bill Harrison, MD
Reviewer: Eileen McLaughlin, RN, BSN
Date Reviewed: 08/06/01

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