Just found this site

I am so glad to have found this site and know that maybe I can get some answers here. I am not getting much help from my doctors. I have actually been dealing with this for about 2 years now. I had a friend tell me yesterday that she was look into the low platelet count and found that diet helps with this. I am seriously overweight and have other health issues along with ITP, so I am just looking for help. Went to my primary Doctor yesterday and she told me my platelet count was down to 52000 and we talked about me going back to my oncologist, but last time I saw him I was told that unless it gets below 10000 not to worry about it. I am so confused!! What are some of the symptoms for ITP? I know I bruise easy, but I always have and I am also extremely tired all the time. Any help would be appreciated.

Keoh:

Since the treatments can be quite harsh and most have side effects, doctors usually do not treat unless counts fall below 20k. Monitoring is the best move right now. Counts of 50k+ is considered to be a safe count for most activities. GP's may not be all that familiar with ITP, so they become concerned at higher counts than a hematologist would.

Diet changes do not always help with ITP, but some people have noticed improvement by eliminating some foods. No one thing works for everyone, so you have to try different things to see if anything helps. It can take quite a while to see results, but even if it improves your general health, it is worth it.

Symptoms of ITP usually revolve around bleeding....bruises, petechiae, blood blisters, etc., although some people do report being tired. Most do not have symptoms unless counts get below 30k; some do not have symptoms until below 10k.

When I went to the pdsa conference, they talked about another disorder where counts stay in the 50,000 range. It was not itp, but something rarer. However, I wasn't paying that close of attention because in my head I was thinking that is def not me. It may be good to see a hematologist to see if it is something like that. I recommend seeing someone who specializes in blood disorders rather than just an oncologist just from my own personal experience.

As Sandi said, 50,000 is a safe range. I would really be questioning treatments with that count. 50000 is the goal count for TPO drugs. As for symptoms of itp. When my counts are low, I have had petichae from head to toe, bruises everywhere, mouth blisters and extreme fatigue. I have never had bleeding symptoms even with a count of 4000.

I feel that I eat pretty healthy ( no crazy diets or anything) , am at a healthy weight and exercise regularly and it personally hasn't improved my counts.