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Some patients initially have no symptoms of MDS, and abnormal results from routine blood tests may be the earliest signs of the disease. For patients with symptoms, it is common not to feel well because of the lack of normal, healthy blood cells.
Signs and symptoms of MDS
Anemia is a decrease in the number of healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. Anemia may cause symptoms such as:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Shortness of breath during normal physical activity
- Headache
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Pale skin
Neutropenia is a decrease in the number of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell. White blood cells help the body fight infection. Neutropenia can cause symptoms such as:
- Frequent infections, or infections that do not go away
- Fever
Thrombocytopenia is a decrease in the number of healthy platelets. Platelets help control bleeding and are involved in wound healing. Thrombocytopenia may cause symptoms such as:
- Bruising easily
- Prolonged bleeding from minor cuts
- Pinhead-sized red spots on the skin (petechiae)
- Frequent and/or severe nosebleeds
- Bleeding gums
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