HELLP causing ITP

[78kate]

I'm about 13 weeks pregnant with my 3rd baby. My labs came back that I have low platelets 114 and 116...they tested them twice to make sure. I'll be going to a hematologist to make sure there is nothing more-but my mom has ITP so we're guessing that I have it as well.

My question-I never had this problem until I had my 1st baby in which that pregnancy ended in HELLP. So can HELLP cause ITP long term?

[ozierja]

Hello,
I don't think it can cause ITP but I know if you have ITP you are likely to have HELLP or PE in one form or another during pregnancy. PE and HELLP can unmask all kinds of things that you might be predisposed to having later in life, cardiovascular problems, hypertension, etc. Perhaps it is the same with ITP?
I hope the hematologist will have the answer for you.

[mymiracles2]

Is ITP the same as TTP? I had TTP with my last pregnancy.

[caryn]

Very close. TTP is "thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura" and ITP is "ideopathic thrombocytopenic purpura". "Ideopathic" means they have no idea why you've got it. It's just something that's true about you.

Thrombocytopenia can also be pregnancy-induced, by the placenta. So it might reverse after pregnancy - I suspect the docs will be able to tell you more about the odds of that happening than I can!