Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP): What helps?

My 24 year old son developed severe liver dysfunction mere weeks after booster shot. He now also has ITP and platelet levels are 8 - white blood cell count is 1. He has had 4 platelet transfusions but counts drop the next day. They won't do bone marrow biopsy because his platelets are too low. Steroids have decreased high liver enzyme levels and his Bilirubin which was 13 is now 2.8. Any success with medications that boost platelets available?

Twenty plus years ago, I was dxed with autoimmune related ITP. When standard Rx protocols of traditional medicine caused me more harm than good due to Rx side-effects, I worked with an M.D. who was certified in alternative medicine (I believe the field is now called functional medicine).

She put me through a 10 day detox and I followed a customized nutritional program consisting of foods to which I had no or little immune response. Immune response levels can be different from one person to the next. Also over time, my immune responses changed as I learned to eat clean foods, free from synthetic chemicals, etc. -preferably organic or at least, GMO free.

I received a customized dietary plan to follow after my blood was tested for immune response levels to 150 different foods & substances. Such tests have probably changed due to new technologies developed since then.

What I did may not work for everyone. IMHO, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to healing. But within 6mos. of using a nutritional approach, along with IVIG infusions (to help stabilize my platelet count at first, they soon became unnecessary), my platelet count gradually climbed back up into a normal healthy range.

I am on my own regarding nutrition now. My foods are is much less strict and diverse. I learned to read labels on everything (even toiletries, household products, etc.) I just stay away from foods which contain ingredients I can't pronounce and use natural, nontoxic, chemical-free products, My platelets have stayed within a normal healthy range ever since. (approx. 20yrs. so far)

If you aren't able to turn to a functional medicine doctor, you could try the route of a certified Nutritional Therapist, who uses a functional medicine approach. I would however advise that whoever is the PCP is aware of and supportive of your plans to encorporate a nutritional approach to your son's wellness plan.

I hope my story has been helpful as you look into ways to increase your son's platelet count. However, it may be different for patients whose ITP has not been determined as autoimmune related destruction of healthy platelets.

@cathy77, how is he doing with this diagnosis? How are you doing?

Andy's diagnosis is Thrombocytopenia

Hi,
No. My Husband has.
We are waiting for the genetic culter results from the bone marrow biopsy before our Hematologist decides on the medication to treat him.
His diagnosis is:
1. Anemia
2. Excessive alcohol consumption.

I suffered Migraine headaches with history of ITP for years taking Migraine RX meds only seemed to help the pain reduce and not eliminate them. Until about 5 yrs. ago I started taking 500 mg Magnesium daily. I went from 4-5 headaches a month to maybe 4-5 a year and not as debilitating. One time I bought 250mg strength and started getting headaches again so I know taking the right mg is also key for me. Might try Magnesium, I am hopeful this may help you. I just buy over counter no specific brand.

A group of Hematologists told my husband that they are seeing patients suffering from lower platelets counts after they got the Covid shots.

I don't know what to say except to make sure you are managing stress levels, eating healthy, well rested, well hydrated, electrolytes not depleted, etc. I don't remember having much problem with headaches when I had AITP except for a couple of times when the IVIG drip was set too fast.

Hi Linda, I'm sorry to hear that your head is killing you with your platelets below 30, but that treatment won't start until you're 20 or lower. I'm tagging fellow members like @georgie2 @jimmyb63 @ggloss @dorisj08 @teresa1holland @merchant700 @naiviv to offer their tips.

How are you doing today? Any updates?

My Dr. also diagnosed me with this my platelets drop to 30 but nothing has worked so the treatment to do is IVIG and they won’t do that tell I’m 20 or lower I find my head killing me is there any suggestions to what I should do