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What Does It Mean If Both Your Red And White Blood Counts Are Low?
Question: What does it mean if both your red and white blood count is low and a bone marrow test is scheduled?
Brief Answer:
There are many potential interpretations
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Your low red and white blood cells count (how low?) may have various explanations. I'll make a short list for you with some of the causes:
- Low vitamin B12 levels: this vitamin is vital for blood cell production. If it's not enough then serious anemia and low white blood cell count may occur.
- Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) : MDS is a disorder of the bone marrow that results in reduced ability of the marrow to produce new blood cells.
- Drug side effect: certain drugs may cause low counts.
- Various types of leukemia may result in low counts. We usually also find abnormal cells (blasts).
- Liver disease (cirrhosis) : all blood cell types are reduced (including the platelets).
- certain autoimmune disorders like lupus for example.
The list is not exhaustive. Your doctor should run some tests (including the bone marrow test) to exclude certain disorders.
So... the answer is that the low counts may mean many things including some of the aforementioned disorders. Getting a bone marrow test done is common practice in such cases.
I hope you've got the answer you were looking for. Please let me know if you need more information or any clarification.
Kind Regards
There are many potential interpretations
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Your low red and white blood cells count (how low?) may have various explanations. I'll make a short list for you with some of the causes:
- Low vitamin B12 levels: this vitamin is vital for blood cell production. If it's not enough then serious anemia and low white blood cell count may occur.
- Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) : MDS is a disorder of the bone marrow that results in reduced ability of the marrow to produce new blood cells.
- Drug side effect: certain drugs may cause low counts.
- Various types of leukemia may result in low counts. We usually also find abnormal cells (blasts).
- Liver disease (cirrhosis) : all blood cell types are reduced (including the platelets).
- certain autoimmune disorders like lupus for example.
The list is not exhaustive. Your doctor should run some tests (including the bone marrow test) to exclude certain disorders.
So... the answer is that the low counts may mean many things including some of the aforementioned disorders. Getting a bone marrow test done is common practice in such cases.
I hope you've got the answer you were looking for. Please let me know if you need more information or any clarification.
Kind Regards
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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