Who is a hematologist? Have you been told to see a blood specialist? (Hematologist)

Have you ever been told by your family doctor, "Let's show this to a hematologist" when you get a blood report? You may have been a little scared when you heard that. "Oh, do I have something serious?" You might have thought. But don't be afraid. Not every time you're asked to see a hematologist, a doctor who specializes in blood diseases, it's something serious. Today, let's talk about who a hematologist is, what they do, and what you need to know if you ever have to see one.

Simply put, who is this Hematologist?

A hematologist is a doctor who specializes in diseases related to the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system of our body. Strictly speaking, this is another subspecialty of Internal Medicine.

Think of it this way: the blood in our bodies is like a network of roads that run through a country. It is along these roads that our bodies carry oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body, and it also removes waste products. If there is a problem with this system, a hematologist is there to diagnose it, find out exactly what is wrong, and treat it.

They diagnose, treat, and manage a variety of blood-related diseases. Some of these diseases can be benign (non-cancerous) conditions, while others can be malignant (cancerous). They also treat conditions such as blood clotting problems and excessive bleeding.

Are Hematologist and Oncologist two different people? Or are they the same person?

This is something that many people get confused about. A hematologist and an oncologist are not necessarily the same person , but sometimes the same doctor can have expertise in both fields.

Let's simply see the difference:

• Oncologist: These are doctors who specialize in cancer. This means they treat all types of cancer that can occur anywhere in the body.
• Hematologist: They focus only on diseases related to the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system.

Now you may be thinking, "Who looks after cancers that develop in the blood?" Yes, that's where these two fields come together. Many cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma, arise from our blood cells or bone marrow. Therefore, a hematologist also has expertise in blood-related cancers. That's why some doctors specialize in both fields as "Hematologist-Oncologist."

Most of the time, your family doctor will only refer you to a hematologist if they notice something unusual in your blood test reports. This could be a change in your blood cell count or a change in your blood clotting levels. Small changes in these basic reports are not always a sign of a serious illness. They will refer you to a specialist to look into it properly.

What are the common diseases that a hematologist treats?

Our blood has several main components. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body, white blood cells protect us from disease, and platelets stop bleeding. If the function of one or more of these components is impaired, we call it a blood-related disease. Let's see what these types of diseases are.

What should you expect when you see a hematologist?

If you have an appointment to see a hematologist, it's a good idea to prepare a little before you go. Most of the time, the doctor will do the following:

• Ask about your overall health: other illnesses you have, medications you take, and whether anyone in your family has these illnesses.
• Ask about your symptoms: changes in your body, fatigue, changes in skin color, frequent fevers, and weight loss.
• Your blood tests will be reviewed: Bring your old blood tests and show them to the doctor. The doctor will review them carefully and explain to you what the values ​​mean.
• Determines whether further tests are needed: You may be asked to do more specialized blood tests or a bone marrow test to diagnose the disease more accurately.
• Discusses diagnosis and treatment: If the disease is diagnosed, it will be fully explained to you and possible treatment options will be discussed with you.

Common blood tests ordered by a hematologist

These tests help a doctor make an accurate diagnosis. You may be asked to do some of these as well.

Important questions to ask your doctor

When you go to see a doctor, it's important to ask all the questions you have. Don't be afraid or embarrassed. This is about your health. To help you, here are some questions you can ask:

• "Doctor, what's the abnormality in my blood report? What does it mean?"
• "What medical condition do you think I might have?"
• "Is this a serious situation?"
• "What could be the reason for this?"
• "What specific symptoms should I look out for?"
• "Will I have to do any more tests? What are they looking for?"
• "Do I need treatment? What kind of treatment is available?"
• "When does treatment start? How long does it take?"
• "Are there any side effects to the medication I'm being given?"

It will be helpful to write down these questions on a piece of paper. Also write down the answers the doctor gives briefly.