Patient Information

Patients Malignant Haematology

Myelodysplastic Syndrome: When the Bone Marrow Factory Gets a Bit Disorganised

Myelodysplastic syndrome, or MDS, is a condition where the bone marrow does not make blood cells properly. The bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue inside some of your bones. Its job is to make blood cells every day. It is a bit like a very busy factory — usually reliable, usually quiet, and usually not asking for attention. In MDS, the factory is still open, the lights are on, and the workers are trying their best — but the production line has become disorganised. Some blood cells are made poorly, some do not mature properly, and some never make it out of the factory at all.

Ivo Andrejco · 1 Jun 2026
Read →
Patients Malignant Haematology

Waldenström Macroglobulinaemia

I recently reviewed a patient who was found to have an increased level of IgM kappa immunoglobulin, with an IgM paraprotein detected on serum protein electrophoresis. This was an incidental finding on routine blood testing, and the patient remains well. At present, he has no signs or symptoms to suggest an underlying lymphoma. However, the presence of an IgM paraprotein does carry an increased risk of progression over time to a blood cancer, most commonly a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma called Waldenström macroglobulinaemia, also known as lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. Much less commonly, an IgM paraprotein may be associated with multiple myeloma, which arises from plasma cells rather than lymphocytes. With this in mind, I have put together this patient-friendly article about Waldenström macroglobulinaemia: what it is, how it is diagnosed, when treatment is needed, and what modern treatment options are available.

Ivo Andrejco · 17 May 2026
Read →
Patients From Clinics

What is Southeast Asian (SEA) Alpha Thalassaemia Trait?

Alpha thalassaemia is a genetic (inherited) blood condition that affects how your body makes haemoglobin—the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. In the Southeast Asian (SEA) type, two of the four alpha-globin genes are missing (deleted). This is sometimes written as: 👉 -- / αα

Ivo Andrejco · 24 Mar 2026
Read →
Patients Non-malignant Haematology

Living With Mild Chronic Neutropenia: When “Abnormal” Blood Counts Are Actually Benign

A perspective from the clinic Yesterday I saw a patient whose story is actually quite common in haematology clinics. He had mild neutropenia — a slightly reduced neutrophil count — that had been present for as long as records existed, going back nearly 20 years. Over that time he had remained completely well, with no unusual infections or health problems.

Ivo Andrejco · 10 Mar 2026
Read →
Patients

Ivermectin, Fenbendazole and Cancer: A Conversation I Recently Had With a Patient

A short explanation for people who may have come across these claims online Recently, I saw a patient with newly diagnosed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Like many thoughtful and proactive patients, he had been doing some reading online about possible treatments. During our conversation he mentioned that he had come across information suggesting that ivermectin could be used to treat cancer. He had even found a book promoting this idea.

Ivo Andrejco · 10 Mar 2026
Read →
General Non-malignant Haematology

Is my iron really high?

Is my iron really high? Iron levels are often checked when you go to see doctors with fatigue, malaise, or weakness or when your blood shows anaemia which requires further investigations. The problem with iron test is that it has 5 components which can give a variety of combinations, some are high and some are low and then the interpretation becomes challenging. I have therefore decide to take a look at the common iron test result which often leads to further investigations as well as you often being told that you have high iron levels and you need be venesected (blood letting).

Ivo Andrejco · 1 Mar 2026
Read →
Patients

Monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance (MGUS)

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) happens when abnormal white blood cells make abnormal proteins called M proteins. M proteins don’t usually cause issues. Most people with MGUS don’t have symptoms. But a small percentage of people with this condition may develop blood cancer or a more serious blood disorder.

Ivo Andrejco · 1 Mar 2026
Read →