Anatom3DThrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)
Purpura thrombotica thrombocytopenica · Trombotická trombocytopenická purpura (TTP)
What it is
Antibodies disable the enzyme ADAMTS13, and huge clotting factors seed tiny clots everywhere — fatal within days without plasma exchange.
Symptoms & signs
- Bruising and pinpoint bleeding
- confusion, headache, stroke-like signs
- tiredness and jaundice
- fever
- dark urine
🚩 Get help if…
- call 112 / 911 now Tiny red spots or bruises with confusion or a headache
- call 112 / 911 now Sudden weakness, slurred speech or a fit
- call 112 / 911 now Chest pain or dark urine with paleness
- see a doctor soon Bruising, tiredness and paleness appearing together
Where it strikes
Medical treatment
- Emergency plasma exchange
- steroids
- caplacizumab
- rituximab
- monitor ADAMTS13 to prevent relapse
- recombinant ADAMTS13 (Adzynma) for inherited TTP — FDA-approved 2023
Natural & lifestyle
- Rapid care with any bruising and confusion together
- avoid platelet transfusion unless bleeding
Emerging & experimental
- Treatment without plasma exchange
Alternative, off-label & anecdotal
Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.
- Herbal blood thinners — dangerous here not confirmed in trials
- Anti-inflammatory diets — anecdotal anecdotal / traditional
- Vitamin D — low levels found in autoimmune disease; untested here early / small studies
ICD codes
- ICD-10 M31.1
- ICD-11 3B64.14 Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura