DR S KARTHICK VELAVAN

Who is hematologist?

Hematology is a branch of medicine that concerns itself with the study of blood, the blood-forming tissues, and its diseases. The word "heme" comes from the Greek for blood and the physicians working in this field are called hematologists. Initially, hematologists complete a four-year medical degree which is followed by 3 or 4 years in an internship or residency program. Thereafter, they spend 2 or 3 more years of learning how to diagnose and treat blood disorders.

What are the symptoms of blood disorders?

Common symptoms of white blood cell disorders are:

• chronic infections.
• fatigue.
• unexplained weight loss.
• malaise, or a general feeling of being unwell.

What kind of tests does a hematologist do?

They perform tests to collect data on:

• White blood cell count (WBC)
• Red blood cell count (RBC)
• Platelet count
• Hematocrit red blood cell volume (HCT)
• Hemoglobin concentration (HB).
• Differential white blood count
• Red blood cell indices (measurements)

Why would you be referred to a hematologist?

The basic reasons for referral to the hematologist are the finding of abnormalities on the blood count or symptoms experienced by the patient that the referring doctor believes may be caused by a disease of the blood, bone marrow or sometimes the lymph nodes.

What are the diseases treated by hematologist?

• Iron deficiency anemia and other types of anemia or trauma-related anemia.
• Polycythemia or excess production of red blood cells and cancers such as Leukemia and the myelodysplastic syndromes.
• Myelofibrosis and platelet and bleeding disorders such as hemophilia.
• Hemoglobinopathies such as thalassemia and sickle cell disease.
• Multiple myeloma and Malignant Lymphomas.
• Blood transfusion and Bone marrow stem cell transplantation.