Reduction in Red Blood Cells (Anemia) and Frequent Infections
One of the earliest signs of leukemia is an observable reduction in red blood cells. Leukemia normally affects the blood and bone marrow, where most of the cells present in the blood are produced.
Leukemia causes the numbers of red blood cells, platelets, and healthy white blood cells present in the body to drop. The red blood cells carry oxygen. When the red blood cell count drops, the amount of oxygen supplied to the body’s organs reduces. This can result in the development of other symptoms.
Leukemia results in a decrease in the number of healthy, functioning white blood cells in the body. White blood cells are part of the body’s innate immune system, helping it fight off infections. When many of these white blood cells turn cancerous and only a few normal ones remain, it takes a toll on the body’s defense system. Susceptibility to diseases and infections increases and the person might fall sick often.