“We need to schedule you for a bone marrow biopsy.” My doctor was on the phone delivering his evaluation of recent blood work. Of all the tests and treatments, a bone marrow biopsy is among my least favorite. I had one before and know what’s coming up. It…
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A man developed cold agglutinin disease (CAD) shortly after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, which ultimately led to the diagnosis of an underlying blood cancer known as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), according to a recent case report. While COVID-19 vaccines are considered safe and effective, the authors emphasized the…
I haven’t felt well since early February. Many days I haven’t wanted to get out of bed. Even pushing the covers off or pulling them over me takes a gargantuan effort. Healthcare providers have told me I don’t look anemic, that I seem fine, but I knew my blood work…
I was heartbroken when I unpacked my luggage a couple weeks ago and found my beautiful coffeepot smashed into 22 pieces with accompanying shards and small chips. In my tiredness, a moment of good decision-making pressed through: I didn’t throw it away, as is my current habit. I knew I…
Warming strategies to prevent body temperature from dropping enabled a 42-year-old woman with cold agglutinin disease (CAD) to undergo a hysterectomy under general anesthesia without any disease-related complications, a study shows. “Comprehensive strategies — including measures to promote heat production, maintain core temperature, and prevent redistributive hypothermia — are…
Cold agglutinin disease (CAD) is a rare disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks red blood cells, resulting in anemia.
CAD is characterized by autoantibodies, called cold agglutinins, binding to and activating the destruction of red blood cells when exposed to cold temperatures.
Symptoms of CAD include fatigue, Raynaud’s syndrome, joint pain, jaundice or skin discoloration, and heart problems. These symptoms can worsen with more cold exposure.
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