Symptoms:

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

Low red cell count (anemia) leads to fatigue and 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.

General symptoms include:

• Bleeding gums
• Easy bruising
• Fatigue
• Frequent or severe infections
• Nose bleeds
• Pallor (paleness)
• Prolonged bleeding
• Rapid heart rate
• Shortness of breath with exercise
• Swollen lymph nodes (rare)

Signs and tests:

• Low red blood cell count (anemia)
• Low white blood cell count
• Low reticulocyte count (reticulocytes are immature red blood cell)
• Low platelet count
• Bone marrow biopsy shows an overall decrease in the number of blood cells