Expert Video - What is a complete blood count? How does it show if I have anemia?

MDS-related anemia experts, Dr Rafael Bejar and Dr Casey O’Connell, explain how a blood test known as a complete blood count (CBC) can tell patients whether they have anemia. Doctors can identify anemia based on any of three values in your CBC. These are your red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (HGB) and hematocrit (HCT). The patient and doctor will decide together which one of these values to track over time.

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Other Modules:

Understanding Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Understanding Erythropoiesis

Diagnosis of MDS

Understanding Genetic Mutations in MDS

Management and Treatment of MDS

Managing and Treating MDS-related Anemia

Mutation-Driven Therapy in MDS

Blood and Marrow Transplantation in MDS

Understanding Clinical Trials in MDS

Including Everyone in Clinical Trials for MDS

Animation - Understanding MDS-related Anemia

Slide Show - Understanding MDS-related Anemia

Expert Videos

1. What is MDS-related anemia? What causes it?

2. What is a complete blood count? How does it show if I have anemia?

3. What are the symptoms of MDS-related anemia?

4. What makes people with MDS more likely to have anemia?

5. What happens in MDS-related anemia over time?

6. What’s the prognosis for MDS-related anemia? How is prognosis determined?

7. Which questions should I ask my doctor about my MDS-related anemia?

8. How is MDS-related anemia diagnosed?

9. How is MDS-related anemia screened and monitored?

10. Which other conditions have symptoms similar to MDS-related anemia?

11. If I have MDS-related anemia, what should I watch out for in daily life?

12. Which specific diagnosis questions should I ask my doctor about my MDS?

13. How does acute myeloid leukemia (AML) relate to MDS?

14. Why is it important to understand the causes of unexplained anemia?

Patient Videos

15. Abby’s story: How did you find out you had MDS-related Anemia?

16. Barry’s story: How did you find out you had MDS-related Anemia?

17. Bill’s story: How did you find out you had MDS-related Anemia?

18. Abby’s story: How was your MDS-related Anemia diagnosed?

19. Barry’s story: How was your MDS-related Anemia diagnosed?

20. Bill’s story: How was your MDS-related Anemia diagnosed?

This educational activity has been developed by the Myelodysplastic Syndromes Foundation, Inc. and Mechanisms in Medicine Inc.

This activity is supported by an educational grant from Acceleron Pharma, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene Corporation, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, and Takeda Oncology.

This website is part of the Animated Patient™ series developed by Mechanisms in Medicine Inc., to provide highly visual formats of learning for patients to improve their understanding, make informed decisions, and partner with their healthcare professionals for optimal outcomes.