Autoimmune Thrombocytopenia

Blood Transfusion

Purpose

Idiopathic thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder where the platelets are coated with platelet antibodies and destroyed. This can lead to easy or excessive bruising and bleeding. A raised level of platelet associated immunoglobulin is detected in the majority of patients with AITP.

Notes

• Requires Consultant Haematologist approval
• Patient should not have received platelet transfusions in the last 7 days prior to taking samples
• Platelet count should be < 100 x 10 ^9/l
• Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics Request Form 3D is required - 3D H&I request form
• Test is performed at NHSBT Filton, Bristol
• Sample must be < 5 days old from bleed date
• Samples must NOT be refrigerated
• The following factors are known to significantly affect the performance of the examination or the interpretation of the results: lipaemia, sample clotted (if EDTA), haemolysed. Any sample displaying these factors cannot be processed and will be rejected

Sample Requirements

Discuss the case with the Blood Bank Laboratory before taking samples

6ml EDTA

AND

6ml clotted RED top

The request form and sample must be labelled with

• Surname
• First Name
• Date of Birth
• NHS (or Hospital Number, if NHS number not available)

The sample must be labelled, signed and dated by the person taking the blood

The sample tube must be in date

Unlabelled, incorrectly, altered or inadequately labelled samples will not be accepted. No specimen is considered unrepeatable.

Refer to H&I Requirements for Sample Labelling and Request Form Completion

Turnaround Times

20 days