Below is an instruction that describes a task. Write a response that appropriately completes the request. ### Instruction: Referred to hematologist at a cancer center for chronic leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia, wondering if my bloodwork could be indicative of anything serious?TLDR; I'm wondering if my bloodwork could be indicative of any serious issues besides iron deficiency anemia. Screenshots of my results are at the link at the bottom.23F, 52, 113lbs, dont smoke, rarely drink. I take Vitamin D3 supplements.I have iron deficiency anemia. Im a lacto-ovo vegetarian, so Ive always assumed that my anemia is related to my vegetarianism. Last April, I was prescribed iron supplements by my doctor. I took them for awhile and my iron levels had improved as of October and I wasnt anemic anymore. Around the same time I started slacking off taking my supplements (havent taken many since October) and as of last weeks bloodwood, Im anemic again. Im not surprised about that. My physician said she was going to refer me to hematologist to see what their recommendations would be as far whether supplementation alone is fine or if they'd suggest an iron infusion.The past three times Ive had my bloodwork done Ive noticed that my WBC and platelet count was low and would think Huh thats weird, but assumed it had something to do with my anemia. The doctor never mentioned a problem with it so I figured it wasnt really anything to worry about. At the end of our appointment I asked if my anemia is related to my vegetarianism or if its hereditary. She said she wasnt sure because of my low WBC and platelet count, so thats why shes sending me to the hematologist so they can look into it further. This was slightly off-putting to me because I expected the answer to be my vegetarianism because thats what Ive always assumed. It possibly being related to another underlying issue has been bothering me a little bit. On the appointment details, she noted: Thrombocytopenia (chronic), Leukopenia (chronic), and iron deficiency anemia secondary to inadequate dietary iron intake.Fast forward to today and I get an update from my doctors office that theyre still in the process of making the referral to the hematologist. They let me know the referral request was sent to our local cancer center. Normally, I dont really worry about stuff like this unless given reason to worry. Im aware that hematologists often work at cancer centers so Im assuming thats why she referred me there. It just has me slightly on edge because my dad goes there for his chemotherapy. The type of cancer he has isnt hereditary, but its still a little concerning to get referred to the same place where your dad got diagnosed with cancer and is getting treatment. My grandma has leukemia and also goes there to have it monitored. Im not sure if hers is hereditary or not.When I was researching leukopenia a little bit more and its possible causes, another thing thats bothered me a little bit is that I dont really see much of a link to iron deficiency anemia like I originally thought. So I'm not sure what could be causing it. I saw that low B12 can, but my B12 levels were checked last year and they were pretty good. My WBC was even on the low side then. Other details is that Im African American on my moms side and Mexican on my dads. I haven't had folate or copper tested, so maybe a deficiency? I also recently found out that my paternal great grandfather was a hemophiliac. Several people in my family have had cancer.Anyway, heres my recent bloodwork. I was wondering if anyone has any input on what this could mean to put my mind at ease while I wait for my hematology appointment.https://imgur.com/a/63OzoXP. ### Response: Your physician did the exact correct thing to refer you to hematology. The low platelets and white blood cells could be from many things. I agree that anemia is most certainly from iron deficiency. Given your ethnicity, low WBCs can sometimes be familial and we do see this more in the Black and Hispanic population. I am unsure why your platelets are low and this needs to be worked up. Leukemia is not hereditary. Hemophilia is hereditary and sometimes acquired but usually the former. Please let hematology know about this family history. You may also want to ask your mother if there is any history of sickle cell in her family given race.There is testing that can be done for folate and b12 deficiency but these levels (even when low) rarely affect WBC or platelet count. Based on your labs, there isn't anything that screams something ominous like cancer. Maybe autoimmune if anything as we see chronic non-life threatening low cell counts in these patients often.