When the red cell level drops below normal, patients are considered anemic. If the red cell level drops significantly, patients may feel fatigued, short of breath or weak. Patients with an extremely low red cell level may require a blood transfusion. Patients with very low platelet counts may bruise easily or may develop small blood spots under the skin, bleeding of the gums or other bleeding. If platelet levels drop extremely low, the patient may require a blood transfusion.
White cells help fight infection.
When white cell numbers decrease to a very low level, patients may develop a severe or life-threatening infection. It is especially important for patients with cancer to prevent infection because white cells cannot be transfused from one patient to another. Most chemotherapy drugs cause blood counts to drop to their lowest point 7-10 days after treatment is started. This time is called the nadir. If you are receiving chemotherapy, it is very important that you contact your physician if you have any of the symptoms previously mentioned.