Real-life conditions depicted on TV: What is idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura?

If you watch television, you have probably heard of or seen at least one medical drama. In 2025, a new medical procedural drama, The Pitt, aired on HBO Max. The Pitt shows the lives of healthcare professionals in a Pittsburgh hospital, with each episode depicting one hour of a shift. It was recently awarded a Golden Globe for Best Television Series - Drama. 

While medical dramas can interest viewers for a variety of reasons, one thing they also do is introduce viewers to medical conditions and symptoms they may have never heard of. This can encourage viewers to do research about what they are watching. By watching an episode, viewers can receive education about different conditions that can help create more informed patients, earlier symptom recognition, and greater empathy for those with medical conditions. 

On a recent episode of The Pitt, a young girl was diagnosed with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). So, what is that exactly? 

What is idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura? 

ITP is a blood disorder in which you do not have enough platelets. Platelets are the cells in your blood that help you form clots. When your blood does not clot properly, you can bruise easily or experience excessive or unexpected bleeding.

Most people develop ITP because their immune system starts attacking their platelets. ITP can appear after a viral infection. ITP can also occur if you have a medical condition that causes low platelets, such as leukemia or HIV.

Symptoms typically include the following: 

• Bleeding gums
• Bruising more easily and more often than normal
• Frequent or heavy nosebleeds
• Heavy menstrual periods
• Hematomas (very large bruises that occur when blood pools under the skin)
• Petechia (tiny, rash-like red or purple dots, usually on the lower legs)
• Purpura (large red or purple spots on the skin caused by leaking blood vessels)
• Unexplained blood in your stool or urine

Sometimes, ITP disappears on its own or goes away after treatment. In other cases, it is a chronic condition that requires lifelong care.

ITP at Valley

Our hematologists (doctors who specialize in blood disorders) know how to distinguish ITP from other conditions. They also have the expertise it takes to improve your platelet count, your symptoms, and your quality of life.

Diagnosis is done through medical history, a physical examination, blood tests, or sometimes a bone marrow biopsy, if needed. 

Valley offers a wide range of nonsurgical and surgical ITP treatments, including steroid medications, bone marrow stimulants, immunotherapy, intravenous medications, and a splenectomy, which is the removal of the spleen. 

For more information about ITP services at Valley, please click here. To schedule an appointment with a hematologist, please call 201-634-5339.