ITP affects more than your platelets, it can affect you
ITP is more than just a low platelet count—it can impact your energy, mood, and daily life in ways that aren’t always obvious. Could ITP be affecting more of your life than you realize?
“Sometimes you feel really tired and achy, and it feels just so hard to get through it.”
-Laura, a real patient with ITP
Fatigue is a big problem for people with ITP
Fatigue is more than just feeling tired. It’s a common symptom of ITP, and for some, it can be severe.
One of the largest surveys ever conducted in ITP, including over 1500 people with ITP and over 470 doctors, revealed the extensive impact this immune disorder can have on people’s quality of life.*
Nearly 6 out of 10 people with ITP reported feeling fatigue when they were diagnosed
Over 7 out of 10 who reported fatigue said it was severe
But their doctors may not know
Only 3 out of 10 doctors said their patients mentioned fatigue at diagnosis
Fewer than 5 out of 10
doctors said that their patients’ fatigue was severe
In the same survey, patients reported fatigue regardless of how high or low their platelet counts were.
ITP Check-In:
Do you feel exhausted even after a full night's sleep? Are you having a hard time making decisions, going to work, or performing daily tasks?
Heavy periods with ITP can be more than just an inconvenience
Heavy menstrual bleeding with ITP isn’t just frustrating; it’s one of the biggest challenges for many women with ITP, potentially impacting work and social activities.
In the same survey:
45% of women with ITP reported heavy menstrual bleeding at diagnosis
Over 8 out of 10 of those women said it was one of their most severe symptoms
ITP Check-In:
If you are a woman living with ITP, have you had to miss work, school, or social events because of your period? Have you talked to your doctor about how ITP may be affecting your periods?
Many people with ITP worry about their condition
Living with ITP can be unpredictable, and that uncertainty can lead to stress and worry.
In the same survey of over 1500 people with ITP:
63% worried about sudden changes in their platelet counts
63% worried that their ITP would get worse
41% said that their ITP made them feel helpless
39% believed that their doctor thought they felt better than they actually did
ITP Check-In:
Has stress about ITP affected your sleep or daily routine? Have you talked to your doctor about the emotional impact of ITP?
Brain fog is another piece of the ITP puzzle
Along with visible signs like bruises, people with ITP may also experience brain fog and difficulty with memory, concentration, and clear thinking.
50% of people with ITP reported brain fog in a separate study of 69 people
ITP Check-In:
Do you often forget things you once remembered easily, or struggle to focus on tasks? Have you talked to your doctor about brain fog and ITP?
Speaking up about the unseen symptoms of ITP
In this video, Holly, who lives with ITP, sits down with her doctor to talk openly about her symptoms and how she didn’t realize symptoms like fatigue were connected to ITP. Watch now to hear her experience and why these conversations matter.
Managing the different sides of ITP—like fatigue—can feel overwhelming. So we’ve created a free ITP Care Kit designed to help you along your journey. Sign up to get one today.
*The ITP World Impact (I-WISh) Survey was completed by people living with ITP and physicians experienced in treating them. The goal was to find out the real-world impact of ITP on peoples’ quality of life, management of the condition, and opinions toward treatment. I-WISh was a collaborative investigation among global ITP experts, patient support groups, and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
Next: The Future of ITP
What’s next for ITP treatment—and what could that mean for you?
