I have recently been diagnosed with Pancytopenia. I have no other symptoms except abnormal low blood count.
I am about to see a consultant about it as the numbers have been abnormally low for last 5 months.( All blood cells group's numbers are lower than normal).
I did a radioiodine treatment years ago for thyroid cancer and i knew that the possibility of having a secondary cancer such as Leukaemia will increase by doing that.
Is Pancytopenia a strong first sign of leukaemia?
Has anyone had a similar experience?
Thanks for any help or advice.
Hi Ben62
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I haven't had pancytopenia but I did have Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia about 10 years ago. Whilst with your diagnosis it is human nature to think the worst but until you have seen the consultant and they have run more tests all you can try and do is remain positive that it is something else causing the condition.
I appreciate that is easier said than done. With regards to my blood counts when I was diagnosed my red blood cells were very low but my white bloods cells were incredibly high and I am sure it can be different for a multitude of things.
I can see you have posted in the thyroid cancer forum as well so hopefully you may get a response there.
Lets hope you get some answers soon from the consultant and that they are positive news.
Paul
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Thank you Paul for your reply.
As you correctly said we will know the cause after they have run all the tests, and at the same time i do appreciate sharing thoughts and experiences with caring people same as yourself which it does help with the worries a great deal.
Wish you all the best .
Ben
Pancytopenia may be related to a generalised marrow problem. Leukaemia will produce excess cells - either lymphocytes or myeloid cells. This is a case in which you may have to bear with the diagnostic process, as it may take some time to determine the actual cause.
Hi everyone
Though i started a new thread with my latest results but just wanted to copy and paste it over here as an update for my previous post.
pancytopenia for last 10 months with all blood cell groups lower than normal except lymphocytes which are within normal range.
the latest blood results showed a bit of improvement:
platelets 92 ( from 82)
neutrophil 1.9 ( from 1.3)
RBC 4.46 ( from 4.12)
my blood film result came back as follow
occasional aberrant lymphocytes with hairy cell appearance
Did the bone marrow biopsy yesterday and i will see the haematologist in a month time to discuss the findings.
a month is a long time for me to wait not knowing the reason for these recent blood abnormality changes.
I appreciate any help and thought from people with similar experiences.
i thought that there is a high possibility for HCL or similar problem but no idea.
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