Blood - Myeloma in the bone marrow disrupts the production of new blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets). This can lead to the following:

• Anemia (low red blood cell count), which can cause shortness of breath and fatigue.

• Neutropenia (low white blood cell count), which can increase the risk of infection.

• Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), which can increase the risk of bleeding.

Bones - Myeloma cells in the bone marrow can cause bone breakdown and prevent new bone cell production.

• This increases the risk of bone fractures (most commonly your spine, ribs and pelvis).

• Bone breakdown causes too much calcium to be released into the blood (hypercalcemia). Hypercalcemia can cause kidney damage leading to increased thirst, fatigue, nausea and vomiting and confusion.

Kidneys - Kidney damage can be caused by the myeloma (M) proteins, hypercalcemia or infection.