Articles on blood health: anemia, clotting problems, blood counts and the symptoms that deserve a closer look. Each piece explains the basics simply and says when a finding should be discussed with a doctor.
For myelodysplastic syndrome, an allogeneic stem cell transplant is usually assessed for people with higher-risk disease who are fit enough for intensive treatment and…
Preparing for surgery with von Willebrand disease means a hematologist and the surgical team build a written bleeding plan well before the operation. It…
In sickle cell anemia, a blood transfusion adds healthy donor red cells that carry oxygen normally and do not sickle, either as a one-time…
Sickle cell follow up monitoring is the planned schedule of tests that tracks how the disease is affecting the body over time. It usually…
Oral iron is usually the first choice for iron deficiency anemia because it is effective for most people, simple and low risk. IV iron…
During therapeutic phlebotomy for hemochromatosis, a nurse checks your hemoglobin and blood pressure, then removes about one pint of blood through a needle in…
In polycythemia vera, clot warning signs that call for urgent assessment include sudden face drooping, arm weakness or slurred speech; chest pressure or breathlessness;…
Before surgery or dental work, a person with hemophilia is usually seen by a hematology team weeks ahead of the date. The team measures…
A platelet transfusion gives donated platelets through an intravenous line to a person whose platelet count is dangerously low or who is bleeding. It…
A bone marrow transplant is usually considered for marrow failure, most often severe aplastic anemia or an inherited failure syndrome, when blood counts are…
A clotting disorder is usually investigated with a coagulation panel: prothrombin time with INR, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen and a platelet count, sometimes…
For bone marrow failure such as aplastic anemia, the choice between medicines, growth factors and a stem cell transplant rests mainly on how severe…
Most people living with von Willebrand disease lead full, active lives by planning ahead. That usually means telling dentists and surgeons before any procedure,…
In myelofibrosis, scarred bone marrow lowers white cells, platelets and red cells, so a fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher, bleeding that does not…
Most anemia is diagnosed and managed by a primary care clinician. A referral to a hematologist is usually weighed when the cause remains unexplained…
Living with polycythemia vera usually means keeping the blood from becoming too thick: attending regular blood tests and phlebotomy, staying well hydrated in heat…
Inhibitor testing in hemophilia is a blood test that looks for antibodies the immune system has made against infused clotting factor VIII or IX.…
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