1. < Blood Cancers & Disorders

MDS and cognitive decline

Posted by bradmm @bradmm, Mar 5, 2019

Just curious, if there is less oxygen going to the brain as a result of lower levels of hemoglobin, will that cause cognitive decline?

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Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Jun 3, 2023
In reply to @bdglass "I'm interested in this topic, because I have MDS. I have been receiving weekly injections of..." + (show)
@bdglass

I'm interested in this topic, because I have MDS. I have been receiving weekly injections of 40,000 units of Procrit for a couple of years, but my hematologist recently increased the dosage to 60,000 units when my hemoglobin began to drop a bit.

Meanwhile, I've had some concern about my cognitive abilities but have attributed my issues to my being 82 which is still probably one cause of my slow decline. Now, as I read these comments I'm wondering if MDS is also one cause of my memory issues.

So, where can I learn more about MDS and cognitive functioning? I will follow comments here but would also be interested in where I might do research online. I have an appointment with my hematologist next week and will also ask him what he thinks.

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Hello @bdglass, @marco88, @kgerbitz and @dabls6
I did a little research online to see if there were any articles related to MDS and cognitive decline. There are several and I posted links to the two I felt were most informative.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15973668/
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ajh.22151
There is evidence of a relationship between the anemia associated with blood disorders and the lack of blood supply to the brain. When hemoglobin numbers are low the brain doesn’t receive the normal oxygen supply which can result in cognitive decline.
Have any of you required blood transfusions? Did you notice a change afterwards?

REPLY
1 reply
kgerbitz | @kgerbitz | Jun 3, 2023
In reply to @loribmt "Hello @bdglass, @marco88, @kgerbitz and @dabls6 I did a little research online to see if there..." + (show)
@loribmt

Hello @bdglass, @marco88, @kgerbitz and @dabls6
I did a little research online to see if there were any articles related to MDS and cognitive decline. There are several and I posted links to the two I felt were most informative.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15973668/
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ajh.22151
There is evidence of a relationship between the anemia associated with blood disorders and the lack of blood supply to the brain. When hemoglobin numbers are low the brain doesn’t receive the normal oxygen supply which can result in cognitive decline.
Have any of you required blood transfusions? Did you notice a change afterwards?

Jump to this post

I have not had transfusions. But I’m the last two weeks my count went from 7.9 to 9.2 and I feel much more like myself, mentally and physically.

REPLY
kgerbitz | @kgerbitz | Jun 4, 2023

Let us know what your dr says. I see mine soon and will also ask, but I don’t get much insight from him. Every answer comes down to “following the insurance protocol” . And it may be there’s nothing that can done about it.

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