'enough healthy red blood cells'

A condition in which the blood doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells. Anaemia results from a lack of red blood cells or dysfunctional red blood cells in the body. This leads to reduced oxygen flow to the body's organs. Symptoms may include fatigue, skin pallor, shortness of breath, light-headedness, dizziness or a fast heartbeat. Treatment depends on the underlying diagnosis. Iron supplements can be used for iron deficiency. Vitamin B supplements may be used for low vitamin levels. Blood transfusions can be used for blood loss. Medication to induce blood formation may be used if the body’s blood production is reduced.

A cancer of plasma cells. The plasma cells are a type of white blood cell in the bone marrow. With this condition, a group of plasma cells becomes cancerous and multiplies. The disease can damage the bones, immune system, kidneys and red blood cell count. Symptoms may not be present or may be non-specific, such as loss of appetite, bone pain and fever. Treatments include medication, chemotherapy, corticosteroids, radiation or a stem-cell transplant.

A disorder in which blood doesn't clot normally. When blood can't clot properly, excessive bleeding (external and internal) occurs after any injury or damage. Symptoms include many large or deep bruises, joint pain and swelling, unexplained bleeding and blood in urine or stool. Treatment includes injections of a clotting factor or plasma. Requires a medical diagnosis Symptoms include many large or deep bruises, joint pain and swelling, unexplained bleeding and blood in urine or stool. People may experience: Pain areas: in the joints Also common: bleeding, blood in stool, blood in urine, bruising, heavy or prolonged periods, internal bleeding, nosebleed, or swollen joint

Clinical Laboratory Blood and Transfusion Problems

Stem cells and derived products offer great promise for new medical treatments.

A bone marrow transplant is a medical treatment that replaces your bone marrow with healthy cells. The replacement cells can either come from your own body or from a donor. A bone marrow transplant is also called a stem cell transplant or, more specifically, a hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Transplantation can be used to treat certain types of cancer, such as leukemia, myeloma, and lymphoma, and other blood and immune system diseases that affect the bone marrow.

A blood disorder involving lower-than-normal amounts of an oxygen-carrying protein. Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder characterised by less oxygen-carrying protein (haemoglobin) and fewer red blood cells in the body than normal. Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, paleness and slow growth. Mild forms may not need treatment. Severe forms may require blood transfusions or a donor stem-cell transplant. Requires a medical diagnosis Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, paleness and slow growth. People may experience: Whole body: anaemia, fatigue, or weakness Also common: failure to thrive, iron overload, pallor, shortness of breath, or yellow skin and eyes

Requires a medical diagnosis Infections, pain and fatigue are symptoms of sickle cell disease. People may experience: Pain areas: in the joints Pain types: can be sudden in the chest Whole body: dizziness, fatigue, low oxygen in the body, or malaise Urinary: inability to make concentrated or dilute urine or blood in urine Also common: abnormal breakdown of red blood cells, inflamed fingers or toes, pallor, shortness of breath, or yellow skin and eyes Requires a medical diagnosis Infections, pain and fatigue are symptoms of sickle cell disease. People may experience: Pain areas: in the joints Pain types: can be sudden in the chest Whole body: dizziness, fatigue, low oxygen in the body, or malaise Urinary: inability to make concentrated or dilute urine or blood in urine Also common: abnormal breakdown of red blood cells, inflamed fingers or toes, pallor, shortness of breath, or yellow skin and eyes

A blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the legs. This condition is serious because blood clots can loosen and lodge in the lungs. Leg pain or swelling may occur, but there may be no symptoms. Treatments include medication and use of compression stockings.