What is Hematologic Testing?
Hematologic testing is a way to study the blood, proteins in the blood and organs that make blood. These tests help hematologists check for blood-related conditions, clotting disorders or how the body responds to medication, such as chemotherapy.
How are Hematologic Tests Performed?
Most hematologic tests require a blood sample from you. Typically, we will take a blood sample from your vein and send it to the lab. Technicians in the lab may process tests on the blood or put blood on a slide for pathologists to analyze under a microscope
Working with Physicians who Specialize in Pathology
We have doctors who specialize in making sense of the lab work related to hematology (called pathologists or hematopathologists). They look at your blood samples and tests to try to identify or rule out any blood-related conditions you may have.
You always work directly with your hematologist. They meet with you at an initial visit to understand the signs and symptoms you’re experiencing. They look at any previous blood work you’ve had and see if you need more advanced testing to diagnose and treat your condition. Usually, they start with simpler tests, but they’ll order more advanced hematology testing as needed. Each test gives the doctor more information.
The pathologist analyzes the blood sample in the lab and shares any findings with your hematologist, who then shares what the results mean with you. For specialized testing, your doctor may send your sample to another lab for additional analysis and reading.