Slowly Declining Blood Counts???
 

Hello,

I am just curious... is there anyone out there (or do you know of anyone) with pancytopenia / AA whose blood counts have slowly declined over a period of years?

My counts have been slowly declining for at least the last 10 years (noticed it in 2000). I still am not at treatment-required levels, but I seem to be slowly headed that way.

I guess I am just curious as to how odd this is... I have met at least one other person who has had AA it this way, so I know it happens.

Thanks for all the good posts and info out there! it has been very helpful to me.

David M

I was diagnosed in March 2009, did the rabbit ATG in April and my red blood counts have never gone up on their own. I am now going through the desensitization process to try the horse ATG so hopefully this will work!!!!

How much are your counts going down? You haven't had any transfusions yet?

Rate of decline
 

Although all 3 bloodlines (reds, whites, and platelets) have been declining, the decline has been most noticeable with the platelets. When I first started getting my blood checked (about 10 years ago), my platelets were around 130K to 150K. Gradually they have declined over the years -- about a month ago they were measured at 40K. The platelet drop has been more or less linear and predictable. Last time, neutrophil counts were down to ~1.3. Hemaglobin has been measured as low as ~9.5, but last time it was 10.5 or so.

I have had 3 bone marrow biopsy & aspirations through the years... The first one about 10 years ago showed me as hypocellular with ~25% cellularity ("normal" should have been ~64%). I had another one about 3 years ago, and then one just a few months ago. The latest showed me as still being hypocellular with ~20% or less active cells ("normal" should have been ~55% at this point, I think).

Up to this point, I have been very blessed -- I have not had any treatments or transfusions of any kind. I also have not had abnormal bleeding or bruising. I have noticed some extra fatigue -- but it is hard to know exactly what is going on with that (i.e. who doesn't feel tired?).

I hope your ATG works out for you this time!

David M

David, what you describe doesn't sound that unusual for MAA, which seems to typically be slower moving than SAA. I know we've heard from others with a similar scenario. You might try posting on Aplastic Central too, or do a forum search on both sites for MAA.

Hope this helps,

what/where is aplastic central? :o)

Aplastic Anemia Central (one of the "Patient Resources and Support Groups" listed on our Medical Resources page) is a website for AA patients run by Bruce Lande. It has its own forums.

Thank you!!