Do I have ITP?

Going to the hemo Dr. tomorrow morning because my PCP has concerns about my blood work. I don't bruise or bleed easily. They do have a hard time with dental work getting it to stop. I'm always cold. I can scratch an itch on my chest or wherever and it looks like the claw marks from satan. Lab results below. What could it be? Platelets are low, but not that low. Not sure what's attacking them. I have a CBC, CMP, TSH and blood smear if you need other values. Thanks!

IPF: 17.5 / Max 9
PC: 104 / 150 - 450
MPV 11.1 / Max 11

You're right, your counts are not that low and in fact, are still above ITP diagnosis criteria (counts under 100k). The Hemo will probably just monitor you unless he sees something in your other labs that were not posted. Some people just have lower than average counts and that is normal for them. It could also just be a temporary drop from an illness or medication.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

I went to the Hemo and he agreed I will live a nice long life just fine, but does want to figure out what's causing my body to attack platelets. So I had about 11 vials of blood drawn. The only thing I don't like is he said doesn't think the IPF test is accurate or useful, so if anything comes back odd he's going to do a bone marrow biopsy. That's why the IPF test was created, so patients didn't have to suffer unnecessarily. Anyone have that? He also wants to do a sonogram of my liver since that's what my mom died of.

The IPF test is very new and not used much at all, or at least we don't hear people here talking about it. I've never had one. Therefore doctors will view it with suspicion for a few years until it becomes common place.

Many of us have had bone marrow biopsies (mostly unnecessary ones) and it's not as bad as it sounds. For me, it took about 20 minutes in my doctor's office with some local numbing shots. It leaves your hip sore for a few days, but it's nothing traumatic.

This is the first I have heard of IPF, and the first time it has been mentioned on PDSA according to my search. It is not included in most lists of acronyms, but I finally found it: Immature Platelet Fraction. "IPF can help determine if a decreased platelet count is due to low production(decreased IPF) or increased destruction(increased IPF)."

I have family members who've had bone marrow biopsies and they insist it's not that bad. I had an ultrasound last summer to check on my spleen, liver, etc., after a visit with my new hematologist. That was easy, and the results mostly unremarkable. As someone with mild ITP (platelet counts often above 100), I don't worry much about my platelets, nor my bruising, petechiae, and other other blemishes that make me look like I just came off a battlefield. I hope your results are also unremarkable so that you just have to get used to not looking as good as you feel.

I'd rather have a bone marrow biopsy than a tooth filled !

I'm with you! I had five cavities filled on Tuesday (5 to go) due years of Prednisone use. I'd rather stick a fork in toaster.