Patients with the bleeding disorder called immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) harbor antibodies that sabotage production of the platelets responsible for proper blood clotting. ITP patients often feel fatigued and bruise so easily that they look battered. The most common treatment is a regimen of harsh steroids to suppress the rogue antibodies. Some patients have their spleens removed to relieve the aberrant immune reaction.
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