The bone marrow is the center of production of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. WBCs fight infections, RBCs carry oxygen throughout the body and platelets cause the blood to clot to prevent bleeding. Healthy bone marrow continually replaces the various types of WBCs in a few hours or up to years for some types. Platelets live between nine and 12 days and RBCs live about 120 days, reports the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Myelodysplastic syndromes affect the production and behavior of blood cells. According to Cedars-Sinai, the types of MDS include refractory anemia and refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts, which are the most common; refractory anemia in transformation to acute leukemia; and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.
MDS is progressive and symptoms are absent in the early stage of the disease. Symptoms that appear as the disease progresses include weakness, fatigue, heart rhythm irregularities, easy bleeding and susceptibility to infection. The American Cancer Society reports that low blood counts are present because of the lack of normal blood cells produced by the bone marrow.
Bone Marrow Failure
Bone marrow failure affects the red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Inherited or acquired are the two types of bone marrow failure. PDRhealth.com reports that inherited bone marrow failure is more common in young children, and acquired is more common in young adults. A common symptom in both types is anemia due to a low red blood cell count. Other signs of bone marrow failure include fatigue, bleeding easily because of the low platelet count and increased infections due to low white blood cell count.
Tests to determine bone marrow failure include blood tests for a complete blood count and a bone marrow biopsy. Treatments include blood transfusion and medications to raise the blood cell counts, bone marrow transplant and stem cell transplant.
Medications
Medications such as antibiotics taken for infections, anticonvulsants for neurological disorders, antihistamines for allergies, antithyroid drugs for hormone imbalance, chemotherapy for cancer and diuretics for fluid retention have the potential of lowering white and red blood cell counts. Drugs.com, an online medical encyclopedia, reports other drugs that may lower WBC count include arsenicals, barbiturates and sulfonamides. Drugs with the potential for lowering RBC count in addition to chemotherapy drugs include chloramphenicol, hydantoins and quinidine.
Anemia of Chronic Disease
Anemia of chronic disease is the result of a long-term condition such as autoimmune disorders, cancer, liver cirrhosis, bone infection, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and chronic kidney disease, reports MedlinePlus. Tests to diagnose anemia include a hemoglobin level and red blood cell count. Treatments for anemia of chronic disease include iron supplements and shots of erythropoietin to stimulate red blood cell production in the bone marrow.
