Laura Hamilton, a prominent television presenter known for her work on A Place in the Sun, revealed in 2022 that she has been battling a rare autoimmune disorder called Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP). This condition, which affects the blood's ability to clot, has impacted her life significantly, particularly since the birth of her daughter, Tahlia.
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Laura joins the list of celebs like Eamonn Holmes - who suffers from severe back issues, Anne Diamond - who has high blood pressure and so many more, who suffer from life-altering diseases.
Laura Hamilton and Her Experience with ITP
According to Hello Magazine, Laura Hamilton opened up about her ITP diagnosis in 2021 after finding out that her co-star’s (a house hunter on the show) sister died because of the disease as she had bleeding in her brain. She shared that she was diagnosed with the disease 7 months after the birth of her daughter after she noticed unusual bruising on her legs and gums, and decided to take medical assistance for it.
Since then, Laura has been vocal about the disease and attempts to spread awareness about it. In 2022, she told Daily Star:
I have something called ITP, Immune thrombocytopenia, which is low platelet count in my blood. It's quite an unknown disease.
It sort of flares up and down depending on what's going on with my life, and stress often brings it out.
In April this year, Laura appeared on BBC game show Pointless Celebrities and tried to win some money to donate to her favoured charity - ITP Support Association. She didn’t end up winning the jackpot but was able to donate some money to it, reports The Sun.
In June 2024, Laura took to her Instagram and revealed shocking symptoms of her disease as she posted a story on Instagram of bruises on her legs. Laura was filming for A Place in the Sun abroad when showed her bruises outbreak to fans as a result of her ITP. She captioned the picture:
This is ITP! Just a little flair up this week. But you won't see it under my dress for filming!
What is Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP)?
ITP is an autoimmune disorder that leads to a lower than normal number of platelets, the cells that help blood clot. Symptoms include easy bruising, bleeding gums, and petechiae—small reddish-purple spots on the skin. According to the Mayo Clinic, ITP occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys platelets.
ITP symptoms can range from mild to severe and the disorder can be triggered by infections, autoimmune diseases, or can occur without a known cause. Rarely, ITP can cause fatal brain bleeding - essentially what happened to Laura’s co-star’s sister. Women are more commonly affected, and those with autoimmune diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis are at higher risk. Treatments range from medication to increase platelet counts to surgical options like a splenectomy.
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Sources Used
Hello! Magazine: A Place in the Sun's Laura Hamilton emotional as she opens up about rare health condition
The Sun: Laura Hamilton reveals battle with rare health condition she refused to cover up on A Place in the Sun set
The Sun: A Place in the Sun presenter Laura Hamilton reveals shock symptoms of blood disorder as she films new series
Mayo Clinic: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP)
