A blood disorder is a condition that interferes with your blood performing its essential tasks. Blood constantly flows through the body to deliver oxygen and other nutrients to organs and tissues, protect the body from infections, manage bleeding, remove waste products, and regulate body temperature.
The blood is a fluid made up of solids and liquids. Over half the blood is plasma, a liquid made of water, salts, and protein. The solid part of the blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
If you have a blood disorder, it could affect one or more of those parts of the blood — resulting in a blood clotting disorder, a bleeding disorder, or another type of disorder. Most blood disorders can be managed with treatment.
Blood disorders can be cancerous or noncancerous (also called benign). This guide focuses on noncancerous blood disorders.
There are many types of benign blood disorders; some have little impact on health or daily living and may not even require treatment, while others cause serious illness and can be life-threatening.
The main types of noncancerous blood disorders are blood clotting disorders, bleeding or platelet disorders, anemia, and eosinophilic disorders, which are problems with a type of white blood cell.
Blood Clotting Disorders
People with a blood clotting disorder have blood that forms clots too easily; it’s also called a hypercoagulable state, or thrombophilia. Normally, when you have an injury, the body forms blood clots to manage and stop the bleeding so the healing process can begin. But too much clotting can cause a blood clot to form where it’s not wanted — in the arteries or veins — and cause a heart attack, stroke, or a dangerous blood clot in the lung, called a pulmonary embolism.
The most common blood clotting disorders include inherited disorders, autoimmune disorders, and complications of other diseases:
Factor V Leiden A common inherited blood disorder
Prothrombin Gene Mutation Another common inherited blood disorder
Antiphospholipid Syndrome A rare autoimmune disorder that’s more common in people with lupus
Protein S Deficiency A rare inherited disorder that occurs when a person doesn’t have enough protein S, a protein that helps regulate clotting in the blood
Protein C Deficiency A disorder that can be inherited or caused by another condition. Like protein S, protein C is a natural anticoagulant that keeps the blood from forming too many clots.
Antithrombin Deficiency An inherited or acquired disorder. Inherited antithrombin deficiency raises the risk of blood clots, while acquired antithrombin deficiency may not.
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria A blood disorder that happens when the immune system attacks the red blood cells, which increases the risk of clots
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation A rare blood clotting condition that is a complication of other serious disorders and that can cause uncontrollable bleeding or clotting
Bleeding Disorders
In people with a bleeding disorder, the blood doesn’t contain enough platelets or clotting factors, or they don’t function the way they should. This makes people bleed more than they should.
The most common bleeding disorders include:
Von Willebrand Disease People with von Willebrand, the most common bleeding disorder, lack a protein that helps blood clot. Most people with the disease have an inherited mutated gene, though von Willebrand can also occur as a complication of certain cancers, autoimmune disorders, and heart and blood vessel diseases.
Inherited Hemophilia This genetic disorder can cause prolonged bleeding after injuries. There are three types: type A, or classic hemophilia; type B, or Christmas disease; and type C, Rosenthal syndrome.
Fibrinogen Deficiency Conditions Rare disorders where the blood lacks or has defective fibrinogen, a protein needed to form clots, resulting in excessive or unusual bleeding.
Anemia
Anemia happens when your body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to your tissues, which can make you feel tired or weak. It’s the most common type of noncancerous blood disorder: An estimated three million people in the United States have some form of it.
Types of anemia include:
Aplastic Anemia This rare type of anemia occurs when the bone marrow stops making enough new blood cells. It can cause fatigue, frequent infections, and easy bruising.
Iron Deficiency Anemia The most common type of anemia, it’s caused by not having enough iron in the body. Without iron, your body can’t make enough healthy red blood cells, leading to tiredness and weakness.
Sickle Cell Anemia A genetic disorder in which red blood cells are shaped like sickles or crescents, rather than flat disks, and are inflexible, rather than flexible, making it hard for them to flow smoothly through blood vessels and carry oxygen properly. This can cause pain, fatigue, and other serious health problems.
Thalassemia An inherited blood disorder where the body doesn’t make enough healthy hemoglobin, the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen. It can lead to anemia, fatigue, and slowed growth in children.
Vitamin Deficiency Anemia This happens when your body doesn’t get enough vitamins like B12 or folate, which are needed to make healthy red blood cells. It can cause weakness, fatigue, and sometimes nerve problems.
Eosinophilic Disorders
Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that are key players in how the body responds to allergic reactions and asthma. Some people can have too few or too many of these cells. A low number is usually detected by chance when blood work is performed for other reasons, and it usually doesn’t cause any issues because other parts of the immune system step in to compensate.
A high number of eosinophils (called eosinophilia or hypereosinophilia) can be caused by allergic disorders, infections caused by parasites, or certain types of cancer.
The increased number can cause inflammation and organ damage, and the diagnosis and symptoms depend on the affected organ. Types of eosinophilic disorders include:
Hypereosinophilic syndrome is a group of disorders in which the number of eosinophils is especially high for six months or longer without an obvious cause.The increased number of eosinophils can damage the heart, lungs, liver, skin, and nervous system.
The symptoms of blood disorders can vary depending on whether you’re at risk for a blood clot, bleed too easily because your blood doesn’t clot enough, have anemia, or have an eosinophilic disorder.
Blood Clotting Disorder Symptoms
Blood clotting disorders (when the risk for clotting is increased) can be life-threatening, and symptoms can include:
Swelling, tenderness, and pain in your leg, which could be caused by deep vein thrombosis
Chest pain with shortness of breath, which can mean a possible blood clot in the lungs, called a pulmonary embolism
Heart attack, which could come with symptoms
Stroke, which could come with symptoms
Anyone experiencing the above symptoms should seek emergency care.
Bleeding Disorder Symptoms
Bleeding disorder symptoms, when the blood doesn’t clot to slow down bleeding appropriately, can include:
Excessive and continuous bleeding: This is the most common symptom of a bleeding disorder. Excessive bleeding is defined as cuts or small injuries that bleed for longer than 10 minutes.
Nosebleeds:Nosebleeds that last longer than 10 minutes and occur five or more times a year.
Internal bleeding: This can cause joint pain.
Easy bruising: Minor trauma that didn’t use to cause bruises now does.
Post-surgery bleeding: Heavy bleeding after surgery
Menorrhagia:Heave menstrual bleeding that’s so heavy that it requires a new pad or tampon every hour or bleeding during your period for longer than seven days.
Heavy bleeding after childbirth or miscarriage
Blood in stool: Blood in feces or blood after a bowel movement may be a sign of a medical condition that needs treatment. Talk to your healthcare provider right away.
Blood in urine (pee): Also called hematuria, blood when you pee, especially if you need to pee urgently, should be discussed with your provider.
Anemia Symptoms
Anemia symptoms can happen because the body doesn’t have enough red blood cells to provide the tissues and organs with the oxygen it needs. Symptoms may include:
Dizziness
Feeling tired all the time
Fast heartbeat
Shortness of breath
Skin that’s paler than usual
Eosinophilic Disorder Symptoms
Symptoms of eosinophilic disorders depend on which organ is affected:
Shortness of breath and fatigue when the heart is affected
Stomach pain when the stomach is affected
Difficulty swallowing, nausea, burping, regurgitation when the esophagus is affected
Wheezing and shortness of breath when the lungs are affected
Diarrhea when the colon is affected
Vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain when the small intestine is affected
There’s no one cause for blood disorders, and the known causes depend on the type of blood disorder — inherited or acquired.
Inherited Blood Disorders The increased tendency for the blood to form risky clots or for bleeding easily is often inherited from one or both parents.
AcquiredBlood Disorders Surgery, trauma, medications, or a medical condition may cause an acquired blood disorder.
Different types of anemia have different causes.
Iron Deficiency Anemia This condition is caused by a lack of iron in the body or because of blood loss.
Vitamin Deficiency Anemia This type of anemia can occur when a person isn’t consuming enough vitamin B12 to make enough red blood cells. In some cases, people can’t absorb B12, a condition called pernicious anemia.
Aplastic Anemia This rare and life-threatening condition in which the body doesn’t make enough new blood cells can be caused by infections, certain medications, autoimmune conditions, and exposure to toxic chemicals.
Hemolytic Anemias This type of anemia happens when red blood cells are destroyed faster than bone marrow can make them. The increased risk for some types of these anemias is passed through families.
Sickle Cell Anemia This is an inherited condition. To have sickle cell anemia, a person must inherit two sickle hemoglobin genes, one from each parent. People who inherit only one sickle hemoglobin gene are said to have sickle cell trait.
Factors that may increase the chances of developing an acquired blood disorder include:
A diet that lacks important vitamins and minerals such as iron, B12, and folate
Chronic conditions such as cancer, inflammatory bowel syndrome, autoimmune disorders, kidney failure, and diabetes
Certain infections like HIV or complications of infection like sepsis
Alcohol misuse, toxic chemical exposure, and certain medications
Age; people over 65 are at higher risk
Not moving for a long time because of bed rest or long plane rides
Decreased physical activity due to heart attack, heart failure, stroke, or other illnesses
Pregnancy
Obesity
To diagnose a blood disorder, your provider will do a physical exam, review your medical history and ask about your symptoms.
Diagnostic tests may include:
Blood tests: These can check for the number, volume, size, shape, and type of cells in the blood. These tests can also be used to check the function of different organs, such as the liver and kidneys — information that can be used later to determine the best treatment for your condition.
Red blood cell tests may include a hemoglobin test or hematocrit test; a low count or percentage may be caused by a type of anemia.
White blood cells are an important part of the immune response. Levels that are too low or too high may indicate an infection or a type of cancer.
Platelets help to make blood clots and control bleeding. Tests to evaluate your platelet health may include a platelet count, mean platelet volume, which measures the average size of the platelets, or a peripheral blood smear, which will examine the platelets under a microscope to look for any abnormalities.
Blood tests can also look for chromosome changes that can help classify your condition. If you have a condition that requires a blood transfusion or bone marrow transplant, blood tests are used to check that you and your donor are compatible.
Bone marrow tests and tests on other tissues: Because stem cells in the bone marrow are responsible for making blood cells, tests of the marrow can tell doctors more about your condition and the health of your blood.
Some blood disorders directly affect other organs, and so samples make be taken from the lymph nodes, liver, skin, spinal cord, or lungs to make a diagnosis.
A thin, hollow needle is used to remove a sample of bone marrow liquid or tissue, typically from the pelvis or breastbone.
Genetic testing: People who have a family history that includes blood disorders may choose to have genetic testing. This can tell you if you have a higher risk of certain conditions or if you carry a specific mutated gene that you could pass on to your child.
Treatments for blood disorders typically focus on addressing the root cause of the underlying condition or the symptoms.
Some types of blood disorders don’t have noticeable or bothersome symptoms. For those people, providers will do what’s called “watchful waiting.” Your overall health will be monitored at regular intervals, and your healthcare team will pay attention to any new signs or symptoms.
Medications
Both prescription and over-the-counter drugs may be used to treat a blood disorder.
Anticoagulants These medications are used in clotting disorders to prevent dangerous blood clots.
Bone Marrow Growth Factor Supplementation This treatment stimulates the bone marrow to increase the number of red and white blood cells your body makes. It can be delivered via an injection or infusion.
Corticosteroids If the immune system is overactive, steroids may be used to suppress the immune system.
Pain Management Some blood disorders, such as hemophilia, can cause chronic pain. This may be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol). Many NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen may increase bleeding and bleeding risk and should be avoided.
In some cases, opioids may be necessary to manage hemophilia pain.
Procedures
Two types of procedures can be done to replace unhealthy blood cells with healthy ones.
Bone marrow transplantor stem cell transplant: One or both of these may be used to treat anemia or bleeding disorders. This procedure replaces unhealthy stem cells with donor cells. Bone marrow cells are collected from the donor’s blood marrow, while stem cells are collected from the peripheral blood. Once transplanted, the new stem cells make healthy new blood cells. This is a major procedure with potentially serious complications, so it is generally reserved for more severe conditions.
Transfusion: A transfusion delivers blood, platelets, or plasma from a healthy donor into your body through a vein in the arm. This may be necessary if you don’t have enough blood cells, or it may be done to replace damaged blood cells with healthy ones.
There are lifestyle habits that may help improve your overall health and reduce your risk of complications.
Follow a heart-healthy diet. Consume a balanced diet that includes plant-based proteins, fruits and vegetables, iron-rich foods, and healthy fats. Limit processed foods.
Seek nutritional help. If you have anemia due to vitamin or mineral deficiencies, talk with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian to help address the shortfalls.
Take supplements, if needed. Iron supplements — taken either in tablets or liquid form — may be recommended for people with iron deficiency anemia. If you take iron with vitamin C on an empty stomach your body may more easily absorb the iron.
Aim for a healthy weight. Obesity does raise the risk of some types of blood disorders.
Increase your physical activity. If possible, get the recommended amount of physical activity each week — 150 to 300 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity. If you have a bleeding disorder, talk with your healthcare provider about ways to lower the risk of bleeding while staying active.
Quit smoking. Not only does smoking harm overall health, but it also increases the risk of bleeding.
Reduce your risk of injury. People with bleeding disorders may need to avoid contact sports that can increase the risk of injury. Always take safety precautions such as wearing a seat belt and wearing a helmet when bicycling.
Some blood disorders are inherited, and that means they can’t be prevented. But in some cases you may be able to reduce your risk for a condition that could cause a blood disorder.
The recommended lifestyle habits for people with a blood disorder — healthy eating, maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, and not smoking — may also help with prevention.
Additional recommendations for prevention include:
Reduce your risk of infection. Although everyone gets sick occasionally, try to reduce your risk of getting an infection with frequent and thorough handwashing. Stay up-to-date on your seasonal flu and COVID-19 shots.
Get regular checkups. This is especially important if you are at higher risk of developing a blood disorder.
The outlook for a person with a noncancerous blood disease can vary widely. In some conditions, such as clotting disorders, many people have a normal lifespan, though they may require lifelong treatment.
For other disorders, such as sickle cell anemia, there is a high risk for early death, and lifespan can be significantly impacted.
People who begin to experience any symptoms of a blood disorder or who notice changes in their body should check in with their healthcare provider.
People with blood disorders are at an increased risk for certain medical emergencies and should know the symptoms to look out for, including:
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Sudden weakness or inability to move a part of the body
Uncontrolled bleeding
If you have a blood clotting or bleeding disorder and experience these symptoms, call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately.
It’s estimated that about 1 in 76 people in the United States has a blood disorder.
There are many organizations that provide support and education for people living with a blood disorder. The American College of Hematology’s website provides links to dozens of organizations, organized by the type of blood disorder.
Here are a few of the many advocacy organizations.
The National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) is a patient advocacy organization dedicated to advancing the prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of blood clots.
This organization works to promote the search for a cure, connect people with clinical trials, and keep people with the disease informed about the latest medical news.
Blood disorders affect the blood's ability to function properly and can range from mild to life-threatening.
Noncancerous blood disorders like anemia, clotting disorders, and bleeding disorders often respond well to treatment.
Lifestyle changes and routine monitoring can reduce risks and help manage symptoms.
Seek medical attention right away if you experience signs of excessive bleeding, a heart attack, stroke, or pulmonary embolism.
