Pancytopenia
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.
There are several things you can do to help prevent infection and bleeding. You can also balance your activity with rest to prevent extreme tiredness.
WHILE YOU ARE HERE:
Informed consent
is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.
You may need extra oxygen
if your blood oxygen level is lower than it should be. You may get oxygen through a mask placed over your nose and mouth or through small tubes placed in your nostrils. Ask your healthcare provider before you take off the mask or oxygen tubing.
Neutropenic precautions:
You may be placed in a single room until your white blood cell levels are higher. This keeps you protected from other people who may have infections. Your healthcare providers will instruct all visitors to wash their hands before and after visiting you. Ask your healthcare provider for more information about neutropenic precautions.
Monitoring:
Your heart rate, heart rhythm, blood pressure, and breathing will be monitored closely.
Medicines:
Medicines may be given to treat the cause of pancytopenia.
Tests:
- Blood tests are used to check for infection and blood cell levels. Blood tests may also show your iron, folate, and vitamin B12 levels. The protein that helps your body make red blood cells may also be checked.
- Urine tests are used to check for infection and kidney function.
- A bone marrow biopsy is a procedure to remove a small amount of bone marrow from your bone. This procedure is used to check how well your bone marrow is making blood cells. The bone marrow sample is also checked for tumors or anything that prevents the bone marrow from making healthy cells.
Treatment:
- A blood transfusion can help increase red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelet levels. This may prevent bleeding or organ damage. This does not treat pancytopenia. Instead, a blood transfusion may keep you safe until the cause of pancytopenia is known.
- A stem cell transplant is a procedure to replace unhealthy stem cells with healthy cells. Stem cells are able to become all of the blood cells. Stem cells can also travel to your bone marrow and can become new bone marrow cells.
RISKS:
Pancytopenia can cause life-threatening heart failure, infection, and bleeding.
CARE AGREEMENT:
You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.© Copyright Merative 2025 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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