Symptoms of blood disorders

[Becky]

Blood disorders can cause various symptoms in almost any area of the body. Most commonly, symptoms are caused by decreases in the blood components.

Decreased red blood cells and hemoglobin can cause symptoms of anemia, such as fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.
Decreased white blood cells or immune system proteins can cause recurrent fever and infections.
Decreased platelets or blood clotting factors can cause abnormal bleeding and bruising.

Occasionally, symptoms may relate to increases in blood components.

Increased red blood cells can cause thickening of the blood (increased blood viscosity) and thereby cause headache and a red complexion (plethora).
Increased immune system proteins also can cause thickening of the blood (increased blood viscosity).
Increased platelets or blood clotting factors can cause inappropriate excessive blood clotting (thrombosis).

Some blood disorders cause a person