Anemia is a condition in which your body does not make enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow and carry oxygen throughout your body. When your red blood cells are very low, your organs and body tissues don't get enough oxygen and can't function properly. This is what causes the symptoms of anemia, such as headaches and fatigue. Your doctor will monitor your blood counts with regular blood tests, and prescribe transfusions and medications to increase your red blood cell count if needed.

Neutropenia is a shortage of neutrophils, a specific type of white blood cell that destroys bacteria and protects you from infection and disease. Neutropenia can increase your risk for infection, because there are not enough bacteria fighting cells in your body. Your doctor will closely monitor your condition with routine blood tests and can prescribe medication to increase your white blood cells if needed.

Thrombocytopenia is a disorder in which your body does not make enough blood platelets. Platelets stop bleeding by helping your body form clots on your wounds. A low platelet count may cause easy bruising or bleeding as well as cause petechiae, which are small red spots on your skin. Your doctor will closely monitor your platelets with routine blood tests.

Peripheral neuropathy is one of the major side effects of chemotherapy. The central nervous system refers to the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system sends information from the brain and spinal cord to every other area of the body. Peripheral neuropathy happens when damage to the peripheral nervous system interferes with these transmissions and distorts the messages between the brain and the other parts of the body. The effects of neuropathy are not serious and do not necessarily last long, but can be very bothersome and are common following certain kinds of chemotherapy. Be sure to tell your doctor if you experience any symptoms so steps can be taken to ease the problem and ask your doctor if neuropathy is associated with the types of treatment you are receiving.

Calcium is a mineral found in the bones and teeth that plays an important role in bone formation. Normally, the bones are kept strong and healthy by a process known as bone remodeling, in which cells called osteoclasts break down old bone and cells called osteoblasts lay down new bone to replace it. As old bone is broken down, calcium is released into the bloodstream. As new bone is laid down, calcium is deposited from the bloodstream into the bones. Myeloma cells can disrupt this process by increasing the amount of bone broken down and decreasing the amount of new bone formed. This causes too much calcium to be released into the blood.

Normally, the bones are kept strong and healthy by a process known as bone remodeling, in which cells called osteoclasts break down old bone and cells called osteoblasts lay down new bone to replace it. Myeloma cells can interfere with this process, speeding up bone breakdown and slowing down the formation of new bone. This may cause the following symptoms:

The kidneys are two organs in the torso that filter waste and excess water from the blood and turn it into urine. In multiple myeloma, the excess M-proteins and calcium in the blood can put extra stress on the kidneys and cause them to work harder.