teen has ITP and graves disease

My 15 year old daughter has ITP and graves she was diagnosed a month ago with both by sheer chance. She went to ER with a broken wrist and came out diagnosed. We have done IVIG she was at a "4" when treated we were released from the hospital at a "10" grew in a week to "33" and now we are at a -5 the test won't read less then a 5. Some treatments for ITP effect graves and visa versa. After 4 weeks they are doing a bonemarrow biopsy is this common? Is it also common to look at your child with ITP and say " but you look so darn healthy how in the world can u be sick?" My daughter had to miss 8th grade grad and few other social summer things and has had a pretty good out look on her illnesses but then we are a glass half full kind of family. I am thankful for this forum to be able to throw the thoughts,questions,fears into. For my familys sake and especial my daughters I am very strong and knowlegeable (thank you google). My questions are gravesx and ITP is this common? How many ITP turn into lupos? Is there anything else I should be concerned for with autoimmune? Or is what we have enough and we thank god its not worse. Sorry for the lengthy questionaire. But since first diagnosed this is the first time I have been able to voice my fears. Thank you. <the rambling mom of Katlynn

Hello Katlynnsmom. Though I'm sorry you have to be here, I'm glad you did find us! Please feel free to voice all your thoughts, fears and questions. That's what we're here for! What a crazy way to find out about ITP and Graves! How's her wrist doing now? Has she done prednisone yet? It works nicely for some. It usually is the first attempt to get numbers up. The bone marrow test isn't necessary for ITP, it's more of a rule out other things kind of test. You have every right to refuse it. It's all up to you and Katlynn. It is common to look at anyone with ITP and say that! ITP doesn't have any dibilatating symptoms. It isn't common for ITP and Graves, but once you have one auto-immune disorder it is "easier" for you to get another.
I'm sorry she had to miss so much at such a young age, but I believe it will get easier for her, and you, as you both learn more about it all.

Hello there. I'm glad you found us.

I have ITP and Lupus and my daughter has Graves, so I am familiar with all of the above. I'm sorry your daughter has been diagnosed. I don't think it's very common to have both ITP snd Graves, but as Gretchen said, once you have one autoimmune disorder, it is common to acquire more. Of the two (Graves and ITP), I think Graves is the scarier one because there are so many things that can go wrong. My daughter treats with an anti-thyroid med. After much research, we decided not to go for RAI. Anti-thyroid meds can affect platelets though, so you have a tough choice to make there.

I don't have any percentages on how often ITP patients are diagnosed with Lupus but from what I've seen here, it's about 15% or 20%. I wouldn't worry about that right now - you have enough on your plate.

I hope her doctors an find a treatment that she responds well to; it doesn't sound like IVIG did much.

I'm sorry Katlynn is having problems! How was Graves diagnosed - just the blood work done when she was in the ER?

Anti-thyroid meds can cause a drop in platelets - there was one woman on the old discussion group with a husband who was diagnosed ITP after being on one of the anti-thyroid meds. Unfortunately she never came back after a couple posts so don't know how he did.