Beyond the Count

ITP Australia and New Zealand

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Health & Fitness

Beyond the Count is a podcast about life with Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP). Through personal stories, expert interviews and practical advice, each episode explores the everyday challenges and small wins of living with a rare autoimmune condition. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, supporting someone, or just looking to learn more, this podcast is here to inform, support and connect.

1d ago

Decoding Risk Series - Part 4: Becoming a Partner in Your Care

Understanding risk is important. But knowing how to ask questions, communicate what matters to you, and make confident decisions is where it all comes together. In the final episode of our Decoding Risk series, Danielle Boyle is joined by haematologist Dr Danny Hsu to explore what it really means to become a partner in your own care. Together, they discuss: the different ways patients engage with informationwhy there is no "right" way to be a patienthow to communicate your preferences and goals to your healthcare teamthe importance of bringing a support person to appointmentswhen and why a second opinion can be valuableand the three questions every patient should ask when discussing treatment options.Dr Hsu also shares his memorable analogy about finding the right "dance partner" when choosing a clinician, highlighting the importance of trust, communication, and shared decision-making in long-term ITP care. This practical and empowering episode will help you feel more confident navigating appointments, asking questions, and becoming an active participant in decisions about your health. 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
Aug 12

Stronger Together: How Global Collaboration is Changing the Future of ITP

What happens when patient advocates from around the world come together with one shared goal: improving the lives of people living with ITP? In this special episode of Beyond the Count, Danielle Boyle takes listeners behind the scenes of the 2026 International ITP Alliance Symposium, held in Salt Lake City, Utah. As Australia's representative within the Alliance since 2019, Danielle shares how patient organisations from across the globe work together to improve education, treatment access, awareness, advocacy, research, and support for people living with Immune Thrombocytopenia. Featuring voices from the United States, Italy, France, Sweden, Finland, Israel, Brazil, Argentina, the Netherlands and beyond, you'll hear firsthand how collaboration across borders is helping drive meaningful change for patients everywhere. From securing treatment access and improving healthcare professional awareness to supporting patients while travelling internationally, this episode explores the real-world impact of global patient advocacy. Discover why the International ITP Alliance exists, how patient organisations support one another, and why working together is helping create a stronger future for people living with ITP worldwide. 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
Jul 22

Decoding Risk Series: Part 3 - The Words that Trick Our Brains

Decoding Risk Series — Part 3: The Words That Trick Our Brains When you read that a side effect is "common" or "rare", what do those words actually mean? For many patients, these terms can trigger fear and uncertainty because the way we interpret risk often differs from how clinicians and researchers use the same language. In Part 3 of the Decoding Risk series, Danielle Boyle is joined by haematologist Dr Danny Hsu to explore one of the biggest communication gaps in healthcare: risk terminology. Together, they unpack: what medical terms like common, uncommon, rare, and very rare actually mean; why patients often overestimate the likelihood of side effects; the surprising research behind how people interpret risk words; practical ways to visualise and understand risk more accurately; and how asking one simple question can completely change the conversation about treatment decisions. Using real-world analogies and examples, this episode helps make confusing medical language far more understandable and empowering. If you've ever looked at a medication leaflet, heard a doctor describe a side effect as "common," and immediately assumed it was likely to happen to you, this episode is 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: 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
Jul 8

Clinical Trials Explained: What they are, How they work and How to know if they're right for you

Clinical trials can feel complicated, overwhelming, and sometimes even a little intimidating. Yet every treatment available today has reached patients because people chose to participate in clinical research. In this episode of Beyond the Count, Danielle Boyle is joined by leading haematologist Dr Rob Bird to demystify clinical trials for people living with Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP). Together, they explain what clinical trials are, how they are designed, the different trial phases, and what participation really involves. They also explore the potential benefits and risks, the importance of informed consent, and why patient wellbeing, fatigue, and quality of life are now key measures in modern clinical research. Whether you're considering a clinical trial, curious about how new ITP treatments are developed, or simply want to better understand your options, this episode provides practical, balanced information to help you make informed decisions. 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
Jun 24

Decoding Risk Series: Part 2 - Why Medication Leaflets Look So Terrifying

Decoding Risk Series — Part 2: Why Medication Leaflets Look So Terrifying You know the feeling. You open a medication leaflet, and suddenly you’re staring at pages of tiny print and an endless list of side effects that make you wonder, “How is this medication even considered safe?” In Part 2 of the Decoding Risk series, Danielle Boyle is joined by haematologist Dr Danny Hsu to break down why medication leaflets look the way they do and what patients actually need to understand when reading them. Together, they unpack: how side effects are reported during clinical trialswhy every symptom gets documented, even when it may not be caused by the medicationwhat statements like “1 in 9 people experienced this” really meanwhy population statistics are not personal predictionsand how online forums can sometimes amplify fear and worst-case thinking.Dr Hsu also shares practical advice on how to navigate medication information more confidently, including what side effects are actually important to focus on, how severity is graded, and the questions patients should ask their healthcare team before starting treatment. This episode is designed to help patients move from fear to understanding, so treatment decisions feel clearer, calmer, and far less overwhelming. 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
Jun 10

Watch and Wait: Why doing nothing is sometimes the best medicine.

For many parents, hearing that their child has ITP is overwhelming. But what can feel even more confronting is being told that the best approach might be to “watch and wait.” In this episode of Beyond the Count, Danielle Boyle is joined by paediatric haematologist Dr Melanie Jackson to explain why observation-based care is often the safest and most appropriate first step for children with ITP. Together, they discuss: What “watch and wait” actually means in real lifeWhy many children recover without treatmentHow clinicians assess bleeding risk rather than relying on platelet counts aloneThe signs and symptoms parents should be monitoring at homeWhen treatment becomes necessary and what that looks likeHow to support your child to live as normally and safely as possibleThis episode provides clear, practical guidance for parents navigating early diagnosis. It helps reframe “doing nothing” as active, evidence-based care, while giving families the tools and confidence to monitor, support, and advocate for their child. 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
Jun 8

Decoding Risk Series: Part 1 - Why Side Effects Happen

Why Side Effects Happen | Decoding Risk (Part 1) Starting a new treatment for ITP can feel overwhelming, especially when side effects enter the conversation. For many patients, it’s not just the treatment itself that creates uncertainty; it’s the “what if.” In Part 1 of the Decoding Risk series, host Danielle Boyle is joined by haematologist Dr Danny Hsu to break down why side effects happen in the first place. Using clear, relatable analogies, they explore: Why medications can affect more than one pathway in the bodyHow “off-target effects” lead to common side effectsWhy some treatments may feel like they are “working too well”What infusion reactions actually are and why they happenHow your liver and kidneys process medications after they’ve done their jobThis episode helps you move beyond fear and into understanding. You’ll learn why side effects are often predictable, why they do not mean something has gone wrong, and how to approach them with confidence. If you’ve ever read a medication leaflet and felt anxious or experienced a side effect and wondered what it means, this episode will give you the clarity, reassurance, and language to have better conversations with your healthcare team. 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
May 13

Blood Clots in ITP: What Patients Need to Know

Blood Clots in ITP: What Patients Need to Know | Beyond the Count Podcast Most people living with Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) are taught to focus on bleeding risk. But what many don’t realise is that ITP can also increase the risk of blood clots, even when platelet counts are low. In this episode of Beyond the Count, host Danielle Boyle speaks with leading haematologist Dr Robert Bird to unpack the complex relationship between ITP and clotting. Together, they explore: Why blood clots can occur in ITP and how antibodies may make platelets “stickier”Why low platelet counts do not protect against clottingThe real risk of DVT (deep vein thrombosis), pulmonary embolism, stroke, and other clotting complicationsCommon symptoms of blood clots and when to seek medical attentionHow anticoagulants (blood thinners) can be used safely in ITPThe role of treatments like TPO receptor agonists (TPO-RAs) and their impact on clotting riskWhat patients need to know about clotting risk after splenectomyDr Bird also shares practical advice on reducing risk, recognising early warning signs, and having open conversations with your healthcare team. This episode breaks down complex medical concepts into clear, real-world guidance so you can better understand your risk and feel confident navigating treatment decisions. Whether you’re newly diagnosed with ITP, managing long-term treatment, or supporting someone with the condition, this episode will give you the clarity and reassurance you need. 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

Beyond the Count is a podcast about life with Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP). Through personal stories, expert interviews and practical advice, each episode explores the everyday challenges and small wins of living with a rare autoimmune condition. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, supporting someone, or just looking to learn more, this podcast is here to inform, support and connect.

Creator

ITP Australia and New Zealand
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

30
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2026 ITP Australia Ltd
Show Website

Beyond the Count