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serotonin and ITP

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14 years 11 months ago #9615 by 28lorelei
serotonin and ITP was created by 28lorelei

Platelets also transport other substances throughout the blood stream. In the body, 2% of the serotonin, a mood elevating neurotransmitter, is stored in platelets. In addition to serotonin, platelets also carry its 'parent' or precursory chemical L-tryptophan. These substances are involved in such processes as sleep/wake cycles, biological rhythms, appetite, mood regulation, etc.

Does this mean we ITP:ers are more likely to get depressed?
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14 years 11 months ago #9619 by Bunnie
Replied by Bunnie on topic Re:serotonin and ITP
This topic has come up on and off over the 15 years I participated in discussion groups. There doesn't seem to be any evidence one way or another to support that it does. 2% shouldn't be significant unless you happen to be very sensative to the balance. Depression does seem to be more prevalent in any group with autoimmune conditions (diabetes, Rhuematoid arthritis, etc) but it's more likly the state of dealing with the impacts than the diseases themselves. Although a few like hypothryoidism do list it as a symptom.
"I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them have never happened.\" — Mark Twain\\\\\\"Worry is a misuse of the imagination.\" — Dan Zadra
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14 years 11 months ago #9626 by Tad Moody
Replied by Tad Moody on topic Re:serotonin and ITP
I agree:

My count hovered between 0 and less than 50,000 for many, many years. Then, (long) after starting on the drug Nplate, my count suddenly shot to over 500,000. Other than the solace of having a good count and finding a drug that worked for me, I noticed no change in mood, occurrence of depression, or disturbance in sleep cycles.

For me, the most profound mood altering substance relating to ITP is prednisone, not the platelet count itself.
  • Sandi
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  • Sandi Forum Moderator Diagnosed in 1998, currently in remission. Diagnosed with Lupus in 2006. Last Count - 344k - 6-9-18
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14 years 11 months ago #9635 by Sandi
Replied by Sandi on topic Re:serotonin and ITP
I agree with the other two. I became very depressed on steroids, but not from having low counts. I think depression with ITP stems from the fact that one is battling an autoimmune disorder and all the problems that go with it. I never felt particularly depressed when my counts were down.
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14 years 11 months ago #9650 by juliannesmom
Replied by juliannesmom on topic Re:serotonin and ITP
I have to say that, early in ITP, my kid became irritable, cranky, weepy, and had difficulty sleeping before diagnosis, and was much better when the counts were better. She would get cranky and fatigued again when the count was dropping, before we knew it. Learning what was going on, and dealing with it, depressed her for a time, but I also think there was a chemical aspect to it, and have always wondered if it was the serotonin-platelet connection. Like the bruising, this problem seemed to become less severe as her body adapted to ITP.
Norma
  • Sandi
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  • Sandi Forum Moderator Diagnosed in 1998, currently in remission. Diagnosed with Lupus in 2006. Last Count - 344k - 6-9-18
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14 years 11 months ago #9663 by Sandi
Replied by Sandi on topic Re:serotonin and ITP
Norma - I felt fatigued when counts were down, oh yes! I was weak and shaky, but not depressed. Everyone seems to be different though.
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14 years 11 months ago #9777 by india44
Replied by india44 on topic Re:serotonin and ITP
Its usually a first sign for me I just sort of know feeling down and tired etc. As you will discover every single one of us is affected differently by ITP.
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