title: Anemia: Evaluation and Diagnostic Tests.
abstract: Anemia is among the most common medical problems and clinical and laboratory evaluation need to be approached logically. The complete blood count with red cell indices offers clues to diagnosis. Many anemias have characteristic red cell morphology. The reticulocyte count serves as a useful screen for hemolysis or blood loss. Testing for specific causes of the anemia is performed. Occasionally, examination of the bone marrow is required for diagnosis. Molecular testing is increasingly being use to aid the diagnostic process. This article reviews diagnostic tests for anemia and suggests a rational approach to determining the etiology of a patient's anemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, MC L-471, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Cascio
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, MC L586, 3181 Southwest Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA; Division of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Pathology, Oregon Health and Science University, Hematology L586, 3181 Southwest Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97201-3098, USA. Electronic address: delought@ohsu.edu.
authors.forename: Thomas G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: DeLoughery
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology; D020732:Cytogenetic Analysis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans
keywords: Anemia; Cytogenetics; Diagnostic testing; Macrocytic; Microcytic; Red cell indices; Schistocytes