Skip to Content Cancer and its treatment often cause drops in the levels of some types of blood cells, which can be detected with a blood test. The problems caused by low blood counts depend on which type of blood cell is affected. It's important to understand why blood counts can drop and what to expect if they do. Show
Low Red Blood CellsHaving too few red blood cells is called anemia. It can cause you too feel very tired or short of breath. Learn what to look for and how to manage it.
Low Platelet CountsHaving low levels of blood platelets is called
thrombocytopenia. People with low platelet counts might bruise or bleed easily. Learn what to watch for and how to manage it.
Blood ClotsCancer and some cancer treatments can increase your risk of getting blood clots. Learn what causes them, how you might prevent them, & how they can be managed.
The symptoms of
bone marrow failure diseases like
aplastic anemia, MDS and PNH are caused by low blood counts. The specific symptoms depend on which type of blood cell is affected. Read the section below to see the symptoms for each type of cell. You may have many of these symptoms or just one or two of them. And you may get a new symptom at any point in the course
of your illness. Low Red Blood Cell Count A low red blood cell count is called anemia. If you have a low red blood cell count, you may: Low
White Blood Cell Count A low white blood cell count is called neutropenia. If you have a low white blood cell count, you may: Low
Platelet Count A low platelet count is called thrombocytopenia. If you have a low platelet count, you may: Includes: Low red blood cell count, Low white blood cell count, Low platelet count, Infection-prevention guidelines for immunosuppressed patients. Other words you may hear:
What Are Low Blood Counts?Many of the chemotherapy drugs temporarily stop cells from dividing, especially the cells that divide quickly. Blood cells; red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets are made by the bone marrow. These blood cells divide quickly. Chemotherapy may lead to low blood counts, causing the possibility of a variety of symptoms. The symptoms depend on the type of low blood cell count. Low Red Blood Cell Count(Anemia, low hemoglobin, low hematocrit) Red blood cells carry oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. A complete blood count (CBC) is a blood test used to check your blood count. The RBC, hemoglobin, and hematocrit are tests to see if you have low red blood count.
Note: Normal values will vary from laboratory to laboratory. When you have low red blood cell count you may feel:
If you suffer from low red blood cell count, you may experience:
Things you can do to help manage your low red blood count:
When to call your doctor or health care provider about low blood counts:
Your doctor or health care provider may prescribe or suggest to treat your low red blood count:
Low White Blood Cell Count(low WBC) Leukopenia - A decrease in the total number of white blood cells, which may lead to low white blood cell count. White blood cells fight infection. The white blood count (WBC) is part of a complete blood count (CBC) that is used to check your blood counts. There are several types of white blood cells. A differential test will show more detail about your white blood cell count:
Note: Normal values will vary from laboratory to laboratory.
One measure of risk is the absolute neutrophil count (ANC). The ANC is calculated by multiplying the total white blood count by the percent of neutrophils (also called segmented neutrophils, segs, polymorphoneucleated cells or PMNs, polys) Total white blood count x % neutrophils* = ANC * Neutrophils may be reported as segs & bands (a band is slightly less mature form of a seg). In this case add the % of segs to the % of bands then multiply by the total number of white blood cells. (% segs + % bands) x Total white blood count = ANC Risk of Infection based on Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
Things you can do to reduce your risk of infection when you have low white blood count:
When your white blood cell count is low you may NOT have the usual signs and symptoms when developing an infection such as:
Therefore, it is extremely important to be alert to any change in how you feel and report and discuss what you are feeling with your doctor or nurse. When to call your doctor or health care provider about low blood count: Call immediately if you have:
Call within 24 hours if you experience the following:
Your doctor or health care provider may prescribe or suggest to treat low white blood cell count:
Low Blood Platelet Count(Thrombocytopenia, low PLT) Platelets help blood to clot. They are found in the blood flowing through the blood vessels. Platelets also line the inside of the blood vessel. When low blood platelet count is present, this layer thins and tiny drops of blood can leak through the spaces made when this layer thins, causing red dots on the skin called petechiae (pa-TEE-kee-eye).
Note: Normal values will vary from laboratory to laboratory. When low blood platelet count present a person is at an increased risk of bleeding. Risk of Bleeding is based on the Platelet Count
When you suffer from low blood platelet count you may notice:
Call your doctor immediately if you have sudden, severe unexplained pain. Things you may do to decrease your risk of bleeding if you have low blood platelet count:
When to call your doctor or health care provider about low blood count:
Your doctor or health care provider may prescribe or suggest for low blood platelet counts:
Common Sense Infection-PreventionFor Immunosuppressed Patients and Post-Transplant Patients: These precautions are intended for people with absolute neutrophil count (ANC) less than 500 or for people with prolonged neutropenia. Consult your physician to discuss precautions specific to your low blood count. The basic holistic tenets of good hygiene, a well-balanced nutritious diet, stress avoidance, sufficient sleep and moderate exercise are more important than ever for a person with low white blood cell count and a recovering immune system. Any activity or practice that enhances the body's basic immune structure or does not stress it will help to prevent endogenous (from within yourself) and exogenous (from outside yourself) infections. Food selection and preparation
Immunizations:Influenza vaccine is recommended annually before the influenza season.
Prophylaxis (prevention):
Infants, babies and children:
Pets:
Gardening/Farming:
Camping/Fishing/Swimming:
Travel:
Housekeeping:
Construction/Renovation:
Public Places (Restaurants, Shopping, Sporting Events, Church):
Masks:
These
guidelines for persons with low white blood count are based on the following: Note: We strongly encourage you to talk with your health care professional about your specific medical condition and treatments. The information contained in this website about low blood count and other medical conditions is meant to be helpful and educational, but is not a substitute for medical advice. Chemocare.com is designed to provide the latest information about chemotherapy to patients and their families, caregivers and friends. For information about the 4th Angel Mentoring Program visit www.4thangel.org How do you increase low red and white blood cell count?Lean meats, such as fish, eggs seafood, and skinless poultry contain high quantities of protein. Great plant based sources include lentils, beans and soy. Zinc is one of the best foods to increase white blood cells you can consume as it can help the body produce more WBCs and makes existing WBCs more aggressive.
Can low red and white blood cells make you tired?Anemia is a condition in which you lack enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your body's tissues. Having anemia, also referred to as low hemoglobin, can make you feel tired and weak.
Is low white blood count serious?A low white blood cell count is a consequence of serious diseases, and it can lead to harmful health problems—including infections, slow healing, and cancer. A low white blood cell count doesn't cause symptoms, but the complications of a low white blood cell count can cause many different symptoms.
Can a low red blood cell count indicate cancer?Anemia is a common condition of cancer patients. This is because cancers cause inflammation that decrease red blood cell production. In addition, many chemotherapies are myelosuppressive, meaning they slow down the production of new blood cells by the bone marrow.
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