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Signs of Blood Abnormalities

Blood tests may reveal signs of specific blood abnormalities, including the following:

• Anemia (low number of red blood cells [erythrocytes]; may cause fatigue, "pale" skin coloration, and respiratory difficulties such as shortness of breath)
• Leukopenia (low number of normal white blood cells [leukocytes]; may increase the risk for infection)
• Neutropenia (granulocytopenia; low level of mature neutrophils [bacteria-destroying white blood cells that contain small particles, or granules])
• Thrombocytopenia (low number of blood-clotting platelets that can result in excessive bruising, abnormal bleeding, or frequent bleeding of the nose or gums)
• Thrombocytosis (high number of platelets; may occur in some patients, especially those with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), although the platelets may not clot properly, causing bruising and bleeding difficulties)

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