Blood-Test Breakdowns That Could Make You The Sherlock Holmes of Hematology

9. Prothrombin Time Test

Prothrombin, a protein in the blood, is a vital factor in helping blood clot normally. The liver is responsible for producing it. Thus, a prothrombin time test is a hematology test to evaluate blood clotting time in a patient. Doctors will order regular prothrombin time tests for their patients who are taking warfarin, a common anticoagulant. The tests can be ordered for patients on other anticoagulants as well. Doctors may also recommend a prothrombin time test before surgery if they are concerned about their patient's blood clotting ability. This test is also helpful for evaluating patients for liver disease. It is often used as a part of screening patients for liver transplants. Finally, although a prothrombin time test is helpful for identifying potential health conditions, doctors often need additional tests to confirm conditions such as a bleeding disorder or liver issues.

10. Blood Transfusions

Although it is not a test like many of the others, blood transfusions are a common hematology procedure. Blood transfusions involve patients receiving donated blood through a narrow tube inserted into one of the veins in their arm. These transfusions can be life-saving. They help patients who have lost blood due to a serious injury or during surgery. Blood transfusions are also incredibly helpful for patients with a blood disorder in which their body cannot make certain blood components properly. For instance, blood transfusions are common among hemophilia patients and those with von Willebrand disease, both of which mean a patient's blood lacks certain clotting factors. Thankfully, blood transfusions do not often have complications. In the rare event that they do occur, complications are usually mild.