What are the symptoms?

For most people, symptoms are mild at first and slowly get worse.You may initially experience:

  • weakness, tiredness and occasional breathlessness because ofthe low number of red blood cells
  • frequent infections because ofthe low number of white blood cells
  • bruising and easy bleeding (such as nosebleeds ) because ofthe low number of platelets

Some types of MDSdevelop more quickly than others. Some people with MDS don't have any symptoms, and their condition is picked up after they have blood tests for something else.

Symptoms will depend on the type of MDS you have for example, some people just have a problem with their red blood cells and have symptoms of anaemia , while others may lack all types of healthy blood cell.

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018