A complete blood count (CBC) is a common test to diagnose anemia by measuring red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels. Iron deficiency is a common cause of anemia, and doctors may ...

The anion gap blood test measures the acid-base and electrolyte balance in the blood. Results can show whether there is an imbalance in a person’s pH levels, which may be making the blood too acidic ...

In July, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new blood-based test to screen for colorectal cancer (CRC). The FDA's approval of Shield (Guardant Health) marks a notable achievement, as ...

A new blood test could diagnose pancreatic cancer much earlier, improving survival rates for people with the disease. A large part of the reason for this poor prognosis is that pancreatic cancer is ...

Recent research suggests that blood tests may show markers of oral cancer. But a blood test isn’t enough to confirm an oral cancer diagnosis. A biopsy is the only way to confirm it. Blood tests for ...

In patients showing cognitive decline, a new blood test for Alzheimer's is expected to make diagnosis more convenient, accessible and inexpensive than other existing tests. When you purchase through ...

Testing a person’s blood for a type of protein called phosphorylated tau, or p-tau, could be used to screen for Alzheimer’s disease with “high accuracy,” even before symptoms begin to show, a new ...

Mark Gurarie is a writer covering health topics, technology, music, books, and culture. He also teaches health science and research writing at George Washington University's School of Medical and ...

What Is an MCV Blood Test? MCV stands for mean corpuscular volume. An MCV blood test measures the average size of red blood cells, which have the critical job of carrying oxygen to your organs. If ...

Blood draws for several kinds of diagnostic tests require you to fast for several hours. Eating or drinking anything besides water can skew the results, leading to you needing to be retested. You may ...