ITP and TTP are both blood disorders in which the normal function of blood is affected. There are many types of blood disorders related to the blood components. Both of these disorders involve the platelet count of the blood, and so have some common symptoms. Therefore are confused, although there are differences in the causes and treatment.
Key Takeaways
- ITP (immune thrombocytopenic purpura) is an autoimmune disorder that causes low platelet levels and increased bleeding risk.
- TTP (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura) is a rare blood disorder that forms small blood clots throughout the body.
- Both conditions require medical intervention, but their treatments differ; ITP involves corticosteroids, while TTP requires plasma exchange therapy.
ITP vs TTP
ITP is an autoimmune disorder that causes a low platelet count and can be treated with medications to suppress the immune system or increase platelet production. TTP is a rare blood disorder caused by blood clots, which can cause purpura, fatigue, confusion, and neurological symptoms.
ITP is an autoimmune disorder. The immune system destroys the platelets, which help in blood clotting and prevent bleeding. Since there are not enough platelets, the blood will not clot, instead, it will leak from the small blood vessels, and losing too much blood is harmful to the human body.
TTP is a disorder in which platelets are overused, and many blood clots are formed. These clots can interfere with the proper flow of blood in the body, also this can compromise the proper blood flow to the vital organs f the body.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | ITP | TTP |
|---|---|---|
| Stands For? | Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. | Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. |
| Definition | ITP is a blood disorder in which the platelets are destroyed inappropriately by the immune system of the body. | TTP is a disorder in which the blood clots which are formed are more than necessary, and can interfere with the blood flow in the body. |
| Cause | The exact cause is unknown. | Spontaneous platelet aggregation is the main cause. |
| Complications | Catastrophic Bleeding. | Organ Failure. |
| Treatment | Oral Steroids and intravenous infusion of immunoglobulins. | Blood replacement therapy or Plasma exchange. |
What is ITP?
ITP stands for Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. ITP is a blood disorder in which the platelets are destroyed inappropriately by the body’s immune system. And because of the fewer platelets, which help in blood clotting, enough blood clots do not form. The clotting of blood fails to happen. This leads to excessive bleeding, which is harmful to the body.
The symptoms of this disorder are easy bruising, frequent nosebleeds, Bleeding in gums, blood blisters in the mouth, fatigue, Petechiae, heavy menstrual cycle, blood in vomit or urine, etc. The cause of this disorder is not known exactly. Though it is considered that the formation of antibodies by the immune system to fight off some other foreign bacteria can lead to the formation of antibodies that destroys the formation of platelets.
The disorder is not life-threatening, though it can be very harmful if not treated properly. A platelet count below 20,000 per µl is considered poor. It means treatment is required immediately. Uncontrolled bleeding is the main complication of this disorder which can also lead to Catastrophic bleeding in the brain.
The disorder cannot be cured fully however, it can be controlled via medication. Medicines like oral steroids and antibodies infusions are the first steps of the medication. In rare and severe cases, Chemotherapy medications are also used.
What is TTP?
TTP stands for Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. TTP is a disorder in which excessive blood clots are formed. The platelets cause clots to develop in small blood vessels, which are more than required by the body. This leads to the overuse of platelets. These blood clots are more in number than required, so they can interfere with the normal flow of blood in the body. These blood clots can stop the blood to flow to the organs properly, which can lead to the failure of the organs.
The cause of this is spontaneous platelet aggregation. Also, the cause can be the deficiency of an enzyme called ADAMTS13. The lack of this enzyme causes the excessive clotting of blood. The symptoms of this disorder are bruising easily, bleeding in gums, nausea, fatigue, heavy menstrual cycles, seizures, blood in urine, kidney failure, anemia, abdominal pain, etc.
The complications of this disorder are high. It can be life-threatening. Since the blood clots compromise the blood flow, organ failure can happen. Organs like kidneys and liver can fail. Therefore, proper treatment is required. Medications like steroids are given though plasma exchange is prioritized.
Plasma exchange is a process in which a machine is used to filter the blood of the affected person. The antibodies which cause the disorder are removed, and the healthy blood components are returned to the body along with transfusing a healthy plasma.
Main Differences Between ITP and TTP
- ITP stands for Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. TTP stands for Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
- ITP is a disorder in which platelets are destroyed, so blood clots do not form enough. In TTP, the blood clots which are formed are more than necessary.
- The cause of ITP is not known, though it can be due to the development of antibodies that the immune system developed to fight off other bacteria. The cause of TTP is spontaneous platelet aggregation and a deficiency in an enzyme called ADAMTS13.
- The main complication of ITP is not life-threatening though excessive blood flow can be harmful. The complication of TTP can be life-threatening as it can lead to organ failure.
- The treatment of ITP is medications like oral steroids’, antibodies infusions, and surgical removal of the spleen. The treatment of TTP is blood replacement therapy or plasma exchange.
- https://ashpublications.org/blood/article-abstract/125/10/1514/33751
- https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA649545541&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=11193077&p=HRCA&sw=w
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️
Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
The main complication of ITP is not life-threatening though excessive blood flow can be harmful. The complication of TTP can be life-threatening as it can lead to organ failure.
The cause of this is spontaneous platelet aggregation. Also, the cause can be the deficiency of an enzyme called ADAMTS13. The lack of this enzyme causes the excessive clotting of blood. The symptoms of this disorder are bruising easily, bleeding in gums, nausea, fatigue, heavy menstrual cycles, seizures, blood in urine, kidney failure, anemia, abdominal pain, etc.
The symptoms of this disorder are easy bruising, frequent nosebleeds, Bleeding in gums, blood blisters in the mouth, fatigue, Petechiae, heavy menstrual cycle, blood in vomit or urine, etc. The cause of this disorder is not known exactly. Though it is considered that the formation of antibodies by the immune system to fight off some other foreign bacteria can lead to the formation of antibodies that destroys the formation of platelets.
ITP stands for Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. ITP is a blood disorder in which the platelets are destroyed inappropriately by the body’s immune system. And because of the fewer platelets, which help in blood clotting, enough blood clots do not form. The clotting of blood fails to happen. This leads to excessive bleeding, which is harmful to the body.
The disorder cannot be cured fully however, it can be controlled via medication. Medicines like oral steroids and antibodies infusions are the first steps of the medication. In rare and severe cases, Chemotherapy medications are also used.
ITP is an autoimmune disorder that causes a low platelet count and can be treated with medications to suppress the immune system or increase platelet production. TTP is a rare blood disorder caused by blood clots, which can cause purpura, fatigue, confusion, and neurological symptoms.
Plasma exchange is a process in which a machine is used to filter the blood of the affected person. The antibodies which cause the disorder are removed, and the healthy blood components are returned to the body along with transfusing a healthy plasma.
The treatment of ITP is medications like oral steroids’, antibodies infusions, and surgical removal of the spleen. The treatment of TTP is blood replacement therapy or plasma exchange.