When treatments stopped working, Danielle sought a second opinion. It gave her clarity, confidence, and a new way forward.

Getting diagnosed during a pandemic wasn’t easy, but ITP Warrior @The.No.Spleen.Queen, Danielle Hodges, knew something didn’t feel right.

In this episode, she walks us through why she decided to get a second opinion on her ITP diagnosis, what changed as a result, and why trusting your instincts as a patient matters.

If you’ve ever felt unsure about your diagnosis or treatment plan, this one’s for you.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Beyond the Count
For more information, resources and lived experiences about Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP), visit ITPANZ.org.au.

📱 Follow us on social media:
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LinkedIn: ITP Australia & New Zealand
YouTube: @ITPANZ

🎧 Subscribe to Beyond the Count on your preferred podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

Do you have feedback or a story to share? We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch at info@itpaustralia.org.au

In the final part of our four-part Fuelling Your Health series, Dr Phil Choi explores how food and supplements may help manage some of the more common side effects linked to ITP and its treatments.

From fatigue and iron deficiency to digestive issues and steroid-related symptoms, many people experience side effects that impact daily life. This episode looks at how nutrition can support recovery, ease discomfort and improve overall wellbeing during treatment.

Dr Choi shares evidence-based strategies and simple tips drawn from both clinical research and real-world experience.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Beyond the Count
For more information, resources and lived experiences about Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP), visit ITPANZ.org.au.

📱 Follow us on social media:
Instagram: @ITP_ANZ
Facebook: facebook.com/ITPANZ
LinkedIn: ITP Australia & New Zealand
YouTube: @ITPANZ

🎧 Subscribe to Beyond the Count on your preferred podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

Do you have feedback or a story to share? We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch at info@itpaustralia.org.au

Behind the scenes of a project giving teenagers a voice in their ITP journey.

Being diagnosed with ITP as a teenager can feel overwhelming, and finding the right information at the right time makes a big difference. In this episode, Danielle speaks with Professor Nichola Cooper, Dr Alice Hart, and Mervyn Morgan about ITP and Me: A Teen Guide to Living with ITP.

They share how the book was developed with teens, for teens, why age-appropriate resources matter, and how hearing directly from young people has helped shape a resource that is both practical and reassuring. Whether you’re a teen, a parent, or part of a healthcare team, this conversation highlights the impact of collaboration and the importance of giving young people a voice in their care.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Beyond the Count
For more information, resources and lived experiences about Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP), visit ITPANZ.org.au.

📱 Follow us on social media:
Instagram: @ITP_ANZ
Facebook: facebook.com/ITPANZ
LinkedIn: ITP Australia & New Zealand
YouTube: @ITPANZ

🎧 Subscribe to Beyond the Count on your preferred podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

Do you have feedback or a story to share? We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch at info@itpaustralia.org.au

In Part 3 of our four-part Fuelling Your Health series, Dr Phil Choi helps unpack how the immune system, gut health and inflammation are all connected in the context of ITP.

ITP is an autoimmune condition, which means the immune system is mistakenly targeting platelets. While no single food can reset or repair immune function, some dietary approaches may help reduce inflammation and support immune balance over time.

We explore emerging links between gut health and autoimmunity, the role of anti-inflammatory nutrients, and how to make food choices that support your overall wellbeing.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Beyond the Count
For more information, resources and lived experiences about Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP), visit ITPANZ.org.au.

📱 Follow us on social media:
Instagram: @ITP_ANZ
Facebook: facebook.com/ITPANZ
LinkedIn: ITP Australia & New Zealand
YouTube: @ITPANZ

🎧 Subscribe to Beyond the Count on your preferred podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

Do you have feedback or a story to share? We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch at info@itpaustralia.org.au

In this episode of Beyond the Count, host Danielle Boyle is joined by Barbara Lovrencic, ITP patient advocate, President of AIPIT (Italy’s ITP patient organisation), and Vice Chair of the International ITP Alliance.

Together, they explore the real-world impact of shared decision making, what it looks like when it works well, and how it can go wrong when patients feel unheard. Barbara shares her early experiences of being diagnosed as a child and how the lack of information and involvement shaped her journey. Danielle reflects on how things are improving, why being informed makes all the difference, and the power of open, honest communication between patients and clinicians.

Whether you’re a patient, carer or health professional, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone wanting to understand how collaboration leads to better outcomes and better care.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Beyond the Count
For more information, resources and lived experiences about Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP), visit ITPANZ.org.au.

📱 Follow us on social media:
Instagram: @ITP_ANZ
Facebook: facebook.com/ITPANZ
LinkedIn: ITP Australia & New Zealand
YouTube: @ITPANZ

🎧 Subscribe to Beyond the Count on your preferred podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

Do you have feedback or a story to share? We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch at info@itpaustralia.org.au

In Part 2 of our four-part Fuelling Your Health series, Dr Phil Choi returns to explore how food and nutrition may help support your platelets' ability to function, not just how many you have.

Bleeding is one of the most common symptoms of ITP, but what you eat might play a small supporting role in how well your platelets work. Dr Choi unpacks the role of nutrients like vitamin C and vitamin K, and explains how certain foods and supplements - such as alcohol, garlic, or fish oil - can interfere with normal clotting.

This episode is full of practical insights to help you make informed choices about what ends up on your plate.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Beyond the Count
For more information, resources and lived experiences about Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP), visit ITPANZ.org.au.

📱 Follow us on social media:
Instagram: @ITP_ANZ
Facebook: facebook.com/ITPANZ
LinkedIn: ITP Australia & New Zealand
YouTube: @ITPANZ

🎧 Subscribe to Beyond the Count on your preferred podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

Do you have feedback or a story to share? We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch at info@itpaustralia.org.au

In this episode, we kick off Part 1 of our four-part series, Fuelling Your Health, with Dr Phil Choi. This series explores how diet, supplements and lifestyle choices may support people living with ITP.

Today’s focus is on increasing platelet production. While there’s no official “ITP diet,” certain nutrients may support your bone marrow and overall health, and could play a role in encouraging platelet growth.

Dr Phil Choi shares evidence-informed insights, clears up common myths, and offers practical tips on what to consider if you're looking at food or supplements as part of your approach to managing ITP.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Beyond the Count
For more information, resources and lived experiences about Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP), visit ITPANZ.org.au.

📱 Follow us on social media:
Instagram: @ITP_ANZ
Facebook: facebook.com/ITPANZ
LinkedIn: ITP Australia & New Zealand
YouTube: @ITPANZ

🎧 Subscribe to Beyond the Count on your preferred podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

Do you have feedback or a story to share? We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch at info@itpaustralia.org.au

When your platelet counts are all over the place, your emotions can be too.

In this episode, we’re joined by @The.No.Spleen.Queen, Danielle Hodges, who shares her honest experience of managing her mental and emotional health during the most unstable periods of her ITP journey.

From anxiety and burnout to building routines and asking for help, this conversation is all about taking care of your whole self, not just your platelet counts.

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Beyond the Count
For more information, resources and lived experiences about Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP), visit ITPANZ.org.au.

📱 Follow us on social media:
Instagram: @ITP_ANZ
Facebook: facebook.com/ITPANZ
LinkedIn: ITP Australia & New Zealand
YouTube: @ITPANZ

🎧 Subscribe to Beyond the Count on your preferred podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

Do you have feedback or a story to share? We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch at info@itpaustralia.org.au