Spleen

ITP (idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura) is a problem where the immune system has gotten confused and tags the body’s platelets for removal. When the platelet count gets too low the person can start bleeding. The spleen is the main organ that removes the platelets from the blood stream. Sometimes when medical therapy is not working or not tolerated removing the spleen is indicated to to allow the platelet counts to return to normal levels.

AUTOIMMUNE HEMOLYTIC ANEMIA is a problem where the immune system has gotten confused and attacks the body’s red blood cells. The body can’t produce red blood cells fast enough to keep up with the loss and the blood count gets low (anemia). Removing the spleen slows the breakdown and loss of the red blood cells.