Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Frequently Asked Questions
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare blood disorder in which clumpingplateletscauseclotsto develop in small blood vessels in the organs of the body, which can result in failure of the affected organs.
As the platelets are used up in forming abnormal blood clots, they then become low in number in the blood. When the platelet levels fall due to abnormal clotting, they aren’t available when needed, and then bleeding, both internal and external, can occur. Many other symptoms can occur as well.
This article will review the symptoms of TTP as well as the causes, and how it is diagnosed and treated.
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TTP Symptoms
Symptoms of TTP occur because the clots that develop abnormally in the blood vessels in the organs prevent the organs from functioning properly. As the platelets are used up in the abnormally formed clots, other areas of the body may experience bleeding.
Red blood cells are also damaged in the process, and the low platelets in combination with blood clots and damaged red blood cells can cause a variety of symptoms.
Symptoms of TTP may include:
An enzyme called ADAMTS13 is involved in the process of blood clotting. When the enzyme is too low, the blood clots too much. In TTP, there isn’t enough of the enzyme, either due to inherited or acquired causes.
Inherited TTP
Although the exact cause of TTP is not always known, it is often found to be associated with a deficiency in an enzyme called ADAMTS13. Without enough of this enzyme, excessive clotting of the blood can occur. This deficiency can be inherited if a child receives a copy of the defective gene from each of their parents.
Acquired TTP
With acquired TTP, the ADAMTS13 enzyme cannot function properly because the immune system has produced antibodies against the enzyme. This blocks the function of the enzyme and keeps it from working properly.
Sometimes other diseases or disorders such ascancer,HIV infection, stem cell transplant, and even some medications can make it more likely for TTP to develop.
History and Physical
The physician will review the medical history, investigating any potential causes for the symptoms someone is experiencing. The provider will want to know if a person has a history of any factors that may make a TTP diagnosis more likely, such as a history of HIV infection, cancer, or stem cell transplant. A review of medications will also be done. Some medications associated with the development of TTP include:
Testing
Many lab tests are done to make a diagnosis of TTP.
Plasma Exchange
A treatment called plasma exchange is typically needed to treat TTP. During plasma exchange, blood from the person with TTP is removed and filtered through a special machine. In this machine, the plasma is taken out, removing the antibodies responsible for causing the disease. The other blood products, such as red blood cells and platelets, are returned to the patient.
Healthy plasma from a donor is then transfused. Plasma transfusion replenishes the ADAMTS13 level to correct the deficiency that caused the TTP. This is often repeated every day until the disease improves.
Medication
Surgery
The only surgical treatment for TTP is asplenectomy—or surgical removal of the spleen. This can be an effective treatment, as the spleen is responsible for making the antibodies that are causing the ADAMTS13 enzyme to not work properly. Removing the spleen can prevent these antibodies from being made.
It is possible that a person can fully recover from TTP and not have any long-lasting effects. However, there are some complications that can arise. These complications develop when the clots in the blood vessels cause permanent damage to an organ, such as the kidneys or brain.
These blood clots can cause a stroke to occur, and having a stroke comes with the possibility of permanent deficits depending on the location and severity of the stroke. Severe bleeding can occur with TTP, and can potentially be life-threatening if it is difficult to control.
It is also possible that someone who recovered from TTP can experience another episode in the future. Seeking emergency evaluation and treatment if a relapse is suspected is important so that treatment can be initiated as quickly as possible to prevent long-term effects from the disorder.
A Word From Verywell
Having a diagnosis of TTP for yourself or a loved one can be a stressful time. It is important to remember that treatment options are available, and medical treatment should be sought promptly if any symptoms of this disorder develop. It is also important to ask your healthcare team any questions you have about TTP. That way, you can get the answers you need and ensure you’re comfortable and getting good care.
Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments of ITP and TTP
What are the symptoms of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)?
The symptoms of TTP can include:
What does thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) look like?
What causes thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)?
What does the acronym TTP mean?
TTP stands for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
How is TTP diagnosed?
TTP is diagnosed through taking a detailed medical history, performing a physical exam looking for changes associated with TTP, and through multiple blood tests. The blood tests can evaluate the number of blood cells as well as evaluate body organ function. An ADAMTS13 assay can be done as well to see if there is enough of that enzyme in the body.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.Medline Plus.Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.Food and Drug Administration.Fda approves first treatment for patients with rare inherited blood clotting disorder.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.Medline Plus.Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.Food and Drug Administration.Fda approves first treatment for patients with rare inherited blood clotting disorder.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.Medline Plus.Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.Food and Drug Administration.Fda approves first treatment for patients with rare inherited blood clotting disorder.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
Medline Plus.Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
Food and Drug Administration.Fda approves first treatment for patients with rare inherited blood clotting disorder.
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