Hi Dee,
You have probably already read about Aranesp and similar drugs for anemia (best effect for patients with SerumEPO less than 500) and Neupogen and similar drugs for patients with low white blood cells. Both these drugs belong to "good supportive care" and should be given to all patients that need them.
Good that your fathers doctor will check for iron
- he/she should have done that after about 25 units of packed red blood cells. Then you have to follow the liver tests because if the liver can tolerate high ferritin (iron) value you can wait with iron chelating therapy (Desferal, Exjade and similar drugs).
Kind regards
Birgitta-A
69 yo, dx MDS Interm-1 May 2006, transfusion dependent, Desferal 4 days with transfusions, Neupogen 2 injections/week, asymptomatic