Blood cell disorders include a range of conditions that can affect different components of the blood, ranging from mild to very serious.

There are many types of blood cell disorders that can affect your overall health.

If you believe you have a medical condition affecting your blood, talk with a doctor about your symptoms. They may refer you to a hematologist, a doctor who specializes in blood and blood disorders.

Learn more about the different types of blood disorders, common symptoms, and treatment options.

A blood cell disorder is a condition in which there’s a problem with your red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets (smaller circulating cells), which are critical for clot formation. All three cell types form in the bone marrow, which is the soft tissue inside your bones.

Red blood cells transport oxygen to your body’s organs and tissues. White blood cells help your body fight infections. Platelets help your blood to clot. Blood cell disorders impair the formation and function of one or more of these types of blood cells.

These disorders can be:

  • acute (short-term)
  • chronic (long-term)
  • genetic
  • the result of other conditions
  • the side effects of certain medications

Blood cell disorders can affect the body in many ways, depending on the specific symptoms or condition someone may be experiencing.

Symptoms vary depending on the type of blood cell disorder. Common symptoms of red blood cell disorders are:

Common symptoms of white blood cell disorders are:

  • chronic infections
  • fatigue
  • unexplained weight loss
  • malaise (a general feeling of being unwell)

Common symptoms of platelet disorders are:

There are many different types of blood cell disorders, so your doctor will help diagnose your condition by using tests and considering your symptoms.

Red blood cell disorders affect the body’s red blood cells. These blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. There are various disorders that can affect both children and adults.

Anemia

Anemia is one type of red blood cell disorder, and there are many types:

  • Iron deficiency anemia: This occurs when your body does not have enough iron. You may feel tired and short of breath because your red blood cells are not carrying enough oxygen to your lungs. Iron supplementation usually resolves iron deficiency anemia.
  • Pernicious anemia: Pernicious anemia is an autoimmune condition in which your body is unable to absorb sufficient amounts of vitamin B12. This results in a low number of red blood cells. It is called “pernicious,” meaning dangerous, because it used to be untreatable and often fatal. Now, B12 injections usually cure this type of anemia.
  • Aplastic anemia: This is a rare but serious condition in which your bone marrow stops making enough new blood cells. Aplastic anemia can occur suddenly or slowly, and at any age. It can leave you feeling tired and unable to fight off infections or uncontrolled bleeding.
  • Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AHA): AHA causes your immune system to destroy your red blood cells faster than your body can replace them, resulting in too few red blood cells.
  • Sickle cell anemia (SCA): SCA is a type of anemia that draws its name from the unusual sickle shape of the affected red blood cells. Due to a genetic mutation, these red blood cells contain abnormal hemoglobin molecules, which leave them rigid and curved. The sickle-shaped red blood cells can’t carry as much oxygen to your tissues as regular red blood cells can. They may also become stuck in the blood vessels, blocking blood flow to your organs.

Thalassemia

Thalassemia is a group of inherited blood disorders. These disorders are caused by genetic mutations that prevent the regular production of hemoglobin. When red blood cells do not have enough hemoglobin, oxygen doesn’t get to all parts of the body. Organs then do not function properly. These disorders can cause:

Polycythemia vera

Polycythemia vera is a blood cancer caused by a gene mutation. If you have polycythemia, your bone marrow makes too many red blood cells. This causes your blood to thicken and flow more slowly, putting you at risk for blood clots that can cause heart attacks or strokes.

There is no known cure, but several treatments can help manage this condition. Treatment involves phlebotomy, or removing blood from your veins, and medication.

White blood cells (leukocytes) help defend the body against infection and foreign substances. White blood cell disorders can affect your body’s immune response and its ability to fight infection. These disorders can affect both adults and children.

Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a blood cancer that occurs in the body’s lymphatic system. Your white blood cells change and grow out of control. Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are the two major types of lymphoma.

Leukemia

Leukemia is a blood cancer in which malignant white blood cells multiply inside your body’s bone marrow. Leukemia may be either acute or chronic. Chronic leukemia advances more slowly.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)

MDS affects the white blood cells and their precursors in your bone marrow. The body produces too many immature cells, called blasts. The blasts multiply and crowd out the mature and healthy cells. MDS may progress either slowly or quite fast. It sometimes leads to leukemia.

Plasma cell myeloma

Plasma cell myeloma is a rare blood cancer that develops in the plasma cells in the bone marrow. Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell in your body that makes antibodies. These cells are very important to your body’s ability to ward off infection and disease.

Malignant plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow and form tumors called plasmacytomas, generally in bones such as the spine, hips, or ribs. The abnormal plasma cells produce abnormal antibodies called monoclonal (M) proteins.

These proteins build up in the bone marrow, crowding out the healthy proteins. This can lead to thickened blood and kidney damage. The cause of plasma cell myeloma is unknown.

Blood platelets are the first responders when you have a cut or other injury. They gather at the site of the injury, creating a temporary plug to stop blood loss. If you have a platelet disorder, your blood has one of three irregularities:

  • Not enough platelets — thrombocytopenia: Having too few platelets is dangerous because even a small injury can cause serious blood loss.
  • Too many platelets — thrombocytosis: If you have too many platelets in your blood, blood clots can form and block a major artery, causing a stroke or heart attack.
  • Platelets that don’t clot correctly: Sometimes, deformed platelets can’t stick to other blood cells or the walls of your blood vessels, and so can’t clot properly. This can also lead to a dangerous loss of blood.

Blood clotting relies not only on blood cells and platelets but also on other factors and proteins in the blood that help activate the chain of events leading to clot formation. Problems with these factors can lead to blood clot formation or excessive bleeding.

Von Willebrand disease

Von Willebrand disease is the most common inheritedbleeding disorder. It is caused by a deficiency of a protein that helps your blood clot, called von Willebrand factor.

Symptoms can include:

  • frequent nosebleeds that are hard to stop
  • constant bruising
  • heavy menstrual bleeding
  • longer than usual bleeding after injury

Treatment can include injections or factor replacement therapy.

Hemophilia

Hemophilia is probably the most well-known blood clotting disorder, and it almost always occurs in males. The most serious complication of hemophilia is excessive and prolonged bleeding.

This bleeding can be either inside or outside your body, and sometimes the bleeding can start with no apparent cause.

Treatment involves a hormone called desmopressin for mild type A, which can promote the release of more of the reduced clotting factor, and blood (plasma) infusions for types B and C.

Primary thrombocythemia

Primary thrombocythemia is a rare disorder that can lead to increased blood clotting. This puts you at higher risk for stroke or heart attack. The disorder occurs when your bone marrow produces too many platelets.

Acquired platelet function disorders

Certain drugs and medical conditions can also affect the functioning of platelets. Be sure to coordinate all your medications with your doctor, even over-the-counter supplements or vitamins.

The Canadian Hemophilia Society (CHS) warns that the following common drugs may affect platelets, especially if taken long-term:

Your doctor may order several tests, including a complete blood count (CBC), to identify how many of each type of blood cell you have.

Your doctor may also order a bone marrow biopsy to check whether any abnormal cells are developing in your marrow. This will involve removing a small amount of bone marrow for testing.

Your treatment plan depends on the cause of your illness, age, and overall health status. Your doctor may use a combination of treatments to help treat your blood cell disorder.

Medication

Some pharmacotherapy options include vitamins and minerals for certain types of anemia, and prescription medications and chemotherapy for blood cancers.

Procedures

Bone marrow transplants may repair or replace damaged marrow. These involve transferring stem cells, usually from a donor, to your body to help your bone marrow begin producing typical blood cells.

A blood transfusion is another option to help you replace lost or damaged blood cells. During a blood transfusion, you receive an infusion of healthy blood from a donor.

Both procedures require specific criteria to succeed. Bone marrow donors must match or be as close as possible to your genetic profile. Blood transfusions require a donor with a compatible blood type.

Gene therapy

For some genetic disorders, like hemophilia, gene therapy can be used to help treat the condition.

It’s usually given an injection into a vein, where the gene is carried into the body’s cells. This affects the levels of the missing factor that is causing excessive bleeding.

The variety of blood cell disorders means that your experience of living with one of these conditions may vary greatly from someone else’s. Early diagnosis and treatment are the best ways to ensure you live a healthy and full life with a blood cell disorder.

Different side effects of treatments vary depending on the person. Research your options, and speak with your doctor to find the right treatment for you.

Finding a support group or counselor to help you manage any emotional stress about having a blood cell disorder is also helpful. The American Society of Hematology lists organizations for specific blood cell disorders that may also offer related support groups.

Blood cell disorders can happen to anyone, and understanding the specifics of the different kinds of conditions will help you receive the appropriate treatment.

It’s important to keep aware of your symptoms, get regular check-ups, and follow your doctor’s medical advice.