Symptoms:

Symptoms are the result of bone marrow failure and the loss of blood cell production.

Low red cell count (anemia) can cause:

• Fatigue
• Pallor (paleness)
• Rapid heart rate
• Shortness of breath with exercise
• Weakness

Low white cell count (leukopenia) causes an increased risk of infection.

Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) results in bleeding, especially of the mucous membranes and skin. Symptoms include:

• Bleeding gums
• Easy bruising
• Frequent or severe infections
• Nose bleeds
• Rash--small pinpoint red marks on the skin (petechiae)

Signs and tests:

The health care provider will perform a physical exam.

Blood tests will show:

• Low red blood cell count (anemia)
• Low white blood cell count
• Low reticulocyte count (reticulocytes are immature red blood cell)
• Low platelet count

A bone marrow biopsy shows fewer-than-normal blood cells.