Includes: Low red blood cell count, Low white blood cell count, Low platelet count, Infection-prevention guidelines for immunosuppressed patients. Show
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 What causes low red and white blood cell counts?Pancytopenia (Low Blood Cells)
Pancytopenia is marked by low counts of all three types of blood cells—red cells, white cells and platelets. This condition can be caused by certain medications and by infections. In some cases, it is caused by a cancer or precancerous condition.
What are the symptoms of low red and white blood cells?As a result, people don't have enough normal red blood cells, white blood cells, and blood platelets.. Tiredness (fatigue). Weakness.. Feeling cold.. Feeling dizzy or lightheaded.. Headaches.. Pale skin.. Shortness of breath.. What cancers cause low white and red blood cell count?Low white blood cell count.
Some cancer treatments, mainly chemotherapy, may lower your body's white blood cells. Cancers that affect the blood and bone marrow can also lower the count. These types of cancers include leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
How do you fix low red and white blood cell count?Your doctor or health care provider may prescribe or suggest to treat your low red blood count:. Epoetin alfa (PROCRIT®).. Darbepoetin (Aranesp®).. Iron supplement.. Multivitamin.. A diet high in protein.. A red blood cell transfusion.. |