Cancer therapy can lower your blood cell counts and chemotherapy especially can affect rapidly dividing bone marrow cells. This hinders the marrow's ability to supply new cells to the blood during treatment and for some time after. Patients receiving treatment for blood cancer can develop Show
Low Red Cell Counts (Anemia)Side effects of anemia include
Most people with a mild or moderate decrease in red cells don't realize they're anemic. However, anemia can become severe if you continue to produce too few red cells. Your doctor may prescribe a red cell growth factor or a blood transfusion for severe anemia to help restore your red cell count. Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are another class of drugs your doctor may use to improve your anemia. ESAs such as epoetin alfa (Epogen®, Procrit®) and darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp®) are synthetic versions of erythropoietin, a hormone produced in the kidneys that stimulates the body to produce red blood cells. ESAs are injected under your skin. Some studies suggest that ESAs may increase the risk for blood clots because they correct anemia too vigorously. Also, in some forms of cancer, the use of an ESA may be associated with a worse outcome. If your doctor prescribes an ESA, you'll be given information and guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration about the drug. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of this therapy. Your doctor may also recommend blood transfusions to raise your blood cell count and alleviate symptoms. If you're given blood transfusions, you're more susceptible to developing iron overload. See Iron Overload for more information. Bleeding and Low Platelet CountsA mild or moderate decrease in platelet counts usually doesn't cause bleeding. However, if you have a severely low platelet count, you may experience:
Once therapy is completed and the platelet count is restored to a sufficient level, these side effects rapidly fade. However, if you need to receive additional treatment and your platelet count remains low, you may need a platelet transfusion. Certain medications can weaken the platelets and worsen bleeding problems as well. Low Platelet Counts: 7 Ways to Avoid ProblemsFollow these tips to help prevent or lessen the effects of low platelet counts:
Infection and Low White Cell CountsA severe or prolonged low white cell count puts you at an increased risk for infection, therefore your doctor may prescribe growth factors that can stimulate your marrow to make new white cells to prevent or reduce infections. The growth factors can also be used to help the marrow recover after marrow transplantation and stem cell transplantation. Growth factors called colony-stimulating growth factors may cause mild bone pain, usually in the lower back or pelvis, about the time the white cells start to come back in the marrow. This mild pain lasts only a few days and your doctor can prescribe a painkiller. Be aware, however, that doctors are cautious when prescribing these medications for people with cancer that involves the bone marrow, because growth factors might stimulate cancer cell growth. How do you know if your red blood cells are low?If you have a low red blood cell count, you may: Feel a little tired or very tired. Feel less alert or have trouble concentrating. Have a loss of appetite or lose weight.
What causes red blood cells to go low?Missing certain vitamins or minerals in the diet because of not eating enough. Low iron levels in blood. Major organ problems (including severe heart, lung, kidney, or liver disease) Red blood cells (RBCs) being destroyed by the body before they're replaced.
How can I increase my red blood cell count?The best sources are red meat (especially beef and liver), poultry, fish, and shellfish. Other foods high in iron include peas, lentils, beans, tofu, dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, dried fruits such as prunes and raisins, and iron-fortified cereals and breads.
What is the treatment for low red blood cells?Treatment for this form of anemia usually involves taking iron supplements and changing your diet. For some people, this might involve receiving iron through a vein. If the cause of iron deficiency is loss of blood — other than from menstruation — the source of the bleeding must be located and the bleeding stopped.
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