Blood Counts

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AnewBeginning
AnewBeginning Member Posts: 536
edited July 2015 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

I read alot of posts and most of you know the range of safe counts......My MO never tells me much about my blood. What Im asking is what are the most important ones to look for? Thanks in advance if this makes any sense.


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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited July 2015

    Neutrophils are most important as far as the white cells and hemoglobin as far as the red cell stuff.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited July 2015

    They should be paying attention to the WBC (white blood cell) count and ANC (absolute neutrophil count) as these two tell them if you have enough immunity to fight off an opportunistic infection. They will also check your platelet count, that is the factor in your blood that allows it to clot. If your platelets are too low chemo can trigger irritation and bleeding that won't stop because your blood can't clot. They should also be tracking your Hgb, or hemoglobin, if this number is too low you can experience weakness, lethargy, dizziness, shortness of breath and confusion - this is the number your onc should be watching to determine whether you need a transfusion. The rest of your blood count numbers may be low or off, but these ones are those that determine whether you can continue with chemo or need to delay, be offered Neulasta/Neupogen and/or prophylactic antibiotics, or a blood transfusion.

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  • AnewBeginning
    AnewBeginning Member Posts: 536
    edited July 2015

    KBeee and Special K

    Thank you for the helpful info. I know I should pay attention to certain things but I guess I rely on my MO to let me know. I do notice quite a few highs and lows but now I know what to look for.


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