Hematology Tests Directory
Explore a practical guide to hematology laboratory investigations, from complete blood counts and anemia evaluation to coagulation, hemoglobinopathy testing, flow cytometry and molecular diagnostics. Understand the purpose, specimen and clinical application of each test.
Browse Hematology Investigations
Loading tests...Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Evaluates hemoglobin, red cells, white cells, platelets and red-cell indices.
Test principle & clinical use
Usually combines impedance or optical cell counting with photometric hemoglobin measurement. Used in anemia, infection, cytopenias and general hematologic assessment.
Hemoglobin (Hb)
Measures the concentration of hemoglobin in blood.
Clinical application
Supports evaluation of anemia and erythrocytosis. Interpret against age, sex, pregnancy status, altitude and laboratory-specific reference intervals.
Red Blood Cell Count (RBC)
Quantifies circulating erythrocytes.
Clinical application
Interpret together with hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV and red-cell morphology. RBC count alone does not diagnose a specific anemia.
Hematocrit / Packed Cell Volume (PCV)
Estimates the proportion of blood volume occupied by red cells.
Clinical application
Used in anemia and erythrocytosis evaluation. Hydration status and plasma-volume changes can affect the result.
Red Cell Indices: MCV, MCH & MCHC
Characterize average red-cell size and hemoglobin content or concentration.
Interpretation
MCV helps classify microcytic, normocytic and macrocytic patterns. MCH and MCHC add information but are not diagnostic in isolation.
Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW)
Reflects variation in red-cell size.
Clinical application
May support anemia classification, including mixed deficiencies, but should be interpreted with CBC indices, smear findings and iron or vitamin studies.
Total Leukocyte Count (TLC)
Measures the total number of white blood cells.
Clinical application
Abnormal counts can occur in infection, inflammation, medication effects and hematologic disorders. Differential counts and clinical context help determine significance.
WBC Differential Count
Reports neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils.
Clinical application
Absolute counts are often more informative than percentages alone. Abnormal cells or analyzer flags may require blood-film review.
Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
Quantifies circulating neutrophils.
Clinical application
Important in assessing neutropenia and infection risk. Calculation and clinical interpretation depend on the differential count and laboratory reporting practice.
Platelet Count
Measures the number of circulating platelets.
Clinical application
Used in bleeding, thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis assessment. Platelet clumping can cause a falsely low result; review the smear and consider an alternative anticoagulant when indicated.
Reticulocyte Count
Estimates immature red cells released by the bone marrow.
Clinical application
Helps assess marrow response to anemia. Absolute reticulocyte count and corrected measures can be more useful than the percentage alone.
Immature Reticulocyte Fraction (IRF)
Assesses the proportion of less mature reticulocytes.
Clinical application
May help monitor marrow recovery in selected settings. Availability and interpretation are analyzer-dependent.
Peripheral Blood Smear (PBS)
Microscopic evaluation of red-cell, white-cell and platelet morphology.
What it can show
May reveal microcytosis, macrocytosis, schistocytes, spherocytes, target cells, abnormal leukocytes, platelet clumps and blood parasites. Findings require appropriate clinical correlation.
Iron Profile
Typically includes serum iron, transferrin or TIBC and transferrin saturation.
Clinical application
Assists evaluation of iron deficiency and iron-restricted erythropoiesis. Serum iron varies with time, diet and inflammation; interpret the complete profile with ferritin and clinical context.
Serum Ferritin
Reflects iron stores, although it also behaves as an acute-phase reactant.
Clinical application
A low ferritin strongly supports depleted iron stores. Normal or elevated ferritin does not always exclude iron deficiency in inflammation, liver disease or other inflammatory states.
Vitamin B12 & Folate
Evaluates important nutritional causes of macrocytosis and megaloblastic anemia.
Clinical application
Interpret with CBC, smear, symptoms and possible mixed deficiencies. Methylmalonic acid or homocysteine may be useful in selected equivocal cases.
Direct Antiglobulin Test (DAT / Direct Coombs)
Detects immunoglobulin and/or complement bound to red cells.
Clinical application
Supports evaluation of immune-mediated hemolysis and selected transfusion-related or neonatal conditions. A positive result alone does not prove active hemolysis.
Haptoglobin
Measures a plasma protein that binds free hemoglobin.
Clinical application
Low levels can support intravascular hemolysis but are affected by liver function and inflammation. Interpret with LDH, bilirubin, reticulocytes and smear findings.
Hemolysis Profile
A combined assessment using LDH, indirect bilirubin, haptoglobin and reticulocytes.
Clinical application
Helps evaluate suspected red-cell destruction. In-vitro sample hemolysis can affect several chemistry measurements and must be distinguished from in-vivo hemolysis.
G6PD Enzyme Assay
Measures glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in red cells.
Important limitation
Testing during or soon after an acute hemolytic episode may produce a falsely reassuring result. Recent transfusion can also interfere; repeat testing may be necessary when clinically indicated.
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
Measures the rate at which red cells settle under specified conditions.
Clinical application
A nonspecific marker influenced by inflammation, anemia, pregnancy, age and plasma proteins. It cannot identify a particular disease on its own.
Bone Marrow Aspiration
Examines marrow cells and their maturation patterns.
Clinical application
May be used for unexplained cytopenias, suspected leukemia, marrow disorders and selected infections. Requires specialist assessment and appropriate specimen handling.
Bone Marrow Trephine Biopsy
Evaluates marrow architecture, cellularity and fibrosis.
Clinical application
Complements aspiration when marrow architecture, fibrosis or infiltrative disease needs assessment. It is not interchangeable with a marrow aspirate.
Prothrombin Time (PT) & INR
Assesses selected components of the extrinsic and common coagulation pathways.
Clinical application
Used in warfarin monitoring and evaluation of selected coagulation abnormalities, liver disease and vitamin K deficiency. INR interpretation depends on clinical indication.
Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
Assesses selected intrinsic and common pathway factors.
Clinical application
May be prolonged by factor deficiencies, heparin, lupus anticoagulant and other inhibitors. A mixing study may help distinguish deficiency from an inhibitor.
Thrombin Time (TT)
Measures clot formation after addition of thrombin to plasma.
Clinical application
Can be affected by heparin, direct thrombin inhibitors, low fibrinogen or dysfunctional fibrinogen. Interpretation depends on the assay and medication history.
Fibrinogen
Measures a key clot-forming protein in plasma.
Clinical application
Used in bleeding, disseminated intravascular coagulation and selected liver or consumptive disorders. Fibrinogen is also an acute-phase reactant.
D-Dimer
Detects fibrin degradation products associated with clot formation and breakdown.
Clinical application
In appropriate clinical pathways, a negative result using a validated threshold can help exclude venous thromboembolism in patients with low or intermediate pretest probability. A positive result is nonspecific.
Mixing Study
Compares patient plasma with normal pooled plasma to investigate prolonged clotting times.
Clinical application
Correction may support a factor deficiency, while incomplete or time-dependent correction may suggest an inhibitor. Interpretation requires validated laboratory protocols.
Factor VIII & Factor IX Assays
Measure specific coagulation factor activity.
Clinical application
Used in investigation and monitoring of hemophilia and selected acquired factor deficiencies. Assay choice and interfering medications can affect results.
von Willebrand Factor (vWF) Panel
May include vWF antigen, platelet-dependent activity and factor VIII activity.
Clinical application
Supports evaluation of von Willebrand disease. Levels vary with stress, inflammation, pregnancy and blood group; some patients need repeat testing.
Hemoglobin HPLC
Separates and quantifies common hemoglobin fractions.
Clinical application
Supports assessment of beta-thalassemia, sickle hemoglobin and other variants. Recent transfusion and method-specific co-elution can complicate interpretation.
Hemoglobin Electrophoresis
Separates hemoglobin fractions using an electrophoretic method.
Clinical application
Used in the investigation of inherited hemoglobin disorders. It may complement HPLC or capillary electrophoresis; no single separation method identifies every variant definitively.
HbA2 Quantification
Measures the HbA2 fraction, important in the evaluation of beta-thalassemia trait.
Interpretation
Interpret with CBC indices, iron status, HbF and the analytical method. Borderline or atypical results may require further assessment.
Fetal Hemoglobin (HbF)
Quantifies fetal hemoglobin in blood.
Clinical application
May help evaluate thalassemia syndromes, hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin and selected hemoglobin disorders. Results need age- and condition-appropriate interpretation.
Sickle Cell Screening & Confirmation
Screening and confirmatory methods investigate HbS and related hemoglobin patterns.
Important distinction
A solubility screen does not distinguish sickle trait from sickle cell disease and may miss some situations. Hemoglobin separation and clinical context are needed for classification.
Thalassemia Screening Profile
Combines CBC indices, smear review and hemoglobin fraction analysis when indicated.
Clinical application
Helps identify patients needing further testing for alpha- or beta-thalassemia. Normal hemoglobin fraction analysis does not exclude alpha-thalassemia.
ABO & RhD Blood Grouping
Determines ABO group and RhD status.
Clinical application
Important for transfusion and pregnancy-related care. Identification, sample labeling and local transfusion-service procedures are essential.
Antibody Screen (Indirect Antiglobulin Test)
Detects unexpected red-cell antibodies in patient plasma or serum.
Clinical application
Used before transfusion and in antenatal testing where indicated. Positive screens may require antibody identification and selection of compatible blood.
Crossmatch
Assesses compatibility between recipient and donor blood components.
Clinical application
Performed according to transfusion-service policy and patient history. It does not replace correct patient identification or appropriate compatibility testing.
Flow Cytometry Immunophenotyping
Characterizes cell populations using antibodies against cellular markers.
Clinical application
Supports classification of leukemia, lymphoma and selected immune disorders. Findings should be integrated with morphology, clinical data and genetic studies.
Bone Marrow Flow Cytometry
Examines marrow cell populations for abnormal immunophenotypes.
Clinical application
Used as part of leukemia and other marrow disorder investigations. Sample quality, hemodilution and the diagnostic question affect interpretation.
Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP)
Separates serum proteins to assess their distribution and detect possible monoclonal patterns.
Clinical application
May be used in investigation of plasma-cell disorders. Immunofixation and serum free light chains may be needed when clinically indicated; SPEP alone can miss some disorders.
Serum Free Light Chains
Measures free kappa and lambda immunoglobulin light chains and their ratio.
Clinical application
Used with other studies in evaluation of plasma-cell disorders. Kidney function and assay-specific reference intervals influence interpretation.
JAK2 Mutation Analysis
Investigates selected JAK2 variants associated with myeloproliferative neoplasms.
Clinical application
JAK2 V617F and, when indicated, exon 12 testing can support evaluation of suspected polycythemia vera and related disorders. Results require clinical and hematologic correlation.
BCR::ABL1 Testing
Detects the fusion associated with chronic myeloid leukemia and selected acute leukemias.
Clinical application
Qualitative or quantitative methods may be used for diagnosis or monitoring. Transcript type and reporting scale matter for longitudinal monitoring.
Factor V Leiden & Prothrombin Variant
Genetic tests for selected inherited thrombophilia variants.
Clinical application
Testing is appropriate only in selected clinical circumstances. Results do not by themselves establish the cause of a clot or determine treatment; follow current clinical guidance.
Alpha-Thalassemia Gene Deletion / Duplication
Investigates deletions or duplications affecting HBA1 and HBA2.
Clinical application
Useful when alpha-thalassemia is suspected but routine hemoglobin analysis is nondiagnostic. The assay should define its coverage of common deletions, duplications and other variants.
Beta-Thalassemia Molecular Testing
Detects pathogenic variants in HBB when molecular confirmation is indicated.
Clinical application
May assist diagnosis, carrier assessment and family studies. Test design should account for the variant spectrum and whether deletion or duplication analysis is required.
Platelet Function Testing
Assesses platelet responses using selected aggregation or function methods.
Clinical application
Used in selected bleeding disorders and platelet-function investigations. Collection timing, medications, platelet count and specimen transport are important preanalytical factors.
Platelet Aggregation Studies
Measures platelet aggregation in response to selected agonists.
Clinical application
Specialized testing for suspected platelet-function disorders. Testing requirements and interpretation are laboratory-specific; preanalytical errors can invalidate results.
Erythropoietin (EPO)
Measures the hormone involved in regulating red-cell production.
Clinical application
May support the evaluation of erythrocytosis and selected anemia states. Results should be interpreted alongside oxygen status, kidney function and other investigations.
Vitamin K–Dependent Coagulation Assessment
Selected coagulation tests may help investigate suspected vitamin K deficiency or related disorders.
Clinical application
PT/INR is often an initial test, but abnormalities are not specific to vitamin K deficiency. Medication history, liver function and further factor studies may be needed.
Antiphospholipid Antibody Panel
May include lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin and anti-beta-2 glycoprotein I antibodies.
Clinical application
Used in appropriate evaluation of antiphospholipid syndrome. Clinical criteria and persistent positivity on repeat testing at the recommended interval are important; one positive result alone is insufficient.
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