Doctors first take a person's medical history (ask about symptoms, occupational or other exposures, and family information). Then they do a physical examination. The findings from the history and physical examination help doctors decide what laboratory tests may be needed.
Medical History
Doctors may suspect a blood disorder based on a vast number of possible symptoms. In addition, certain factors in a person's medical history indicate that the person is at risk. Some examples include the following:
A blood disorder in a member of the person's family
Another disorder (such as kidney disease or liver disease) that can cause a blood disorder
A person's ethnicity or race (for example, sickle cell disease occurs mainly in Black people)
Use of a medication that may cause bleeding (such as aspirin
Exposures (for example, an occupational exposure) to a chemical that could cause bleeding or damage the bone marrow
Physical Examination
During the physical examination, doctors look for specific physical findings that can be related to a blood disorder.
Photo provided by Thomas Habif, MD.
They examine the skin and mucous membranes (such as the inner surface of the eyelids or the mouth), looking for paleness, abnormal blood vessels (telangiectasias), bruises, small red, purple or brown spots, or rashes.
They feel the neck, underarm, and groin areas for enlargement of lymph nodes.
They examine the joints to see if they are tender or swollen.
They examine the abdomen, feeling for enlargement of the spleen or liver.
They do a rectal examination to check the stool for blood.
The findings from the history and physical examination help doctors decide what laboratory tests may be needed.
