Why get tested? To help evaluate the bone marrow’s ability to produce red blood cells (RBCs) and to help distinguish between anemia related to blood loss or destruction and anemia related to decreased RBC production; to help monitor bone marrow response and the return of normal marrow function following chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant, or post-treatment follow-up for iron deficiency anemia
When to get tested? When you have a decreased (or increased) RBC count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit and your doctor wants to evaluate bone marrow function
Sample required? A blood sample obtained by inserting a needle into a vein in the arm or sometimes from pricking a finger or the heel of an infant
This article was last reviewed on February 20, 2009.
This page was last modified on April 8, 2009.
The review date indicates when the article was last reviewed from beginning to end to ensure that it reflects the most current science. A review may not require any modifications to the article, so the two dates may not always agree.
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