Anemia from Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy often reduces the patient’s bone marrow's capacity to make red blood cells. A normal hemoglobin count is 14-18 for men and 12-16 for women, but chemotherapy patients often have much lower levels of hemoglobin. When there are too few red blood cells, body tissues do not get enough oxygen. This low iron blood, or low hemoglobin concentration is called anemia. Anemics often feel weak and exhausted. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, and dizziness or feeling faint.

Modern medicine has developed ways to address anemia. Synthetic erythropoietin can be injected to stimulate red blood cell production. Severe anemia is treated with red blood cell transfusions, but synthetic erythropoietin is a more common treatment.

As part of most chemotherapy treatment courses, patients’ blood cell counts are measured. Tell your doctor about side effects you experience.

Some cancer patients find they can help cope with anemia by taking frequent naps, limiting activities, eating well, and getting up from lying or sitting positions slowly.

More than 60% of patients undergoing chemotherapy get anemia in some level. Anemia is a major contributor to fatigue experienced by so many cancer patients.

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