What are the most common blood disorders?
Your blood contains four ingredients:
- Red blood cells
- White blood cells
- Platelets
- Plasma
Blood disorders can affect any one of these components, casting a wide net on your health.
The most common blood disorders include:
Blood cancers
This group of cancers, which includes lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma, and myelodysplastic syndrome, mainly affect your white blood cells, which greatly reduces your immune system’s ability to fight off infection.
Low red blood cell counts cause anemia, and a host of conditions can bring this condition on. Types of anemia include sickle cell anemia, anemia of chronic disease, aplastic anemia, thalassemia, and pernicious anemia, to name just a few.
Thrombocytopenia
This class of blood disorders involves your platelets, creating lower-than-normal levels in your blood.
Plasma-related blood disorders
When a blood disorder develops in your plasma, it can affect how your blood clots — either too easily or not well enough. Some examples of plasma-related blood disorders include hemophilia, von Willebrand disease (VWD), and deep vein thrombosis.
How are blood disorders evaluated?
When you come into Charleston Oncology with a suspected blood disorder, the first order of business is conducting a complete blood count (CBC). This test is the first step in determining the levels of the four main ingredients in your blood. If your doctor finds a deficiency or surplus of any one component, they conduct further testing, including:
- Bone marrow testing
- Clotting tests
- Reticulocyte count
- Protein measures
- Blood typing
There are many more specific tests your doctor may order, depending upon their initial findings, to narrow their search for the underlying cause of your blood disorder.
How are blood disorders treated?
Once your doctor diagnoses your blood disorder, they determine your next steps. Each blood disorder requires different treatments; for example, a cancer diagnosis may require chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy, while anemia treatments focus on raising your red blood cell counts through iron infusions and diet.
The doctors at Charleston Oncology also turn to blood transfusions, antibiotics, bone marrow transplants, and may recommend surgical options for some disorders, such as removing your spleen.
In other words, it’s hard to say what your treatment will be and the only way to find out is to see your doctor for a full evaluation.
If you want the latest care for multiple blood disorders, call Charleston Oncology to schedule a consultation.
