Basics
What Are Bone Marrow Tests?
Bone marrow tests are used to check whether your bone marrow is healthy. These tests also show whether your bone marrow is making normal amounts of blood cells. Bone marrow is the sponge-like tissue inside the bones. It contains stem cells that develop into the three types of blood cells that the body needs:... »
What Are the Risks of Blood Tests?
The main risks of blood tests are discomfort and bruising at the site where the needle goes in. These complications usually are minor and go away shortly after the tests are done. Source: NHLBI, NIH »
What Do Bone Marrow Tests Show?
Bone marrow tests show whether your bone marrow is making enough healthy blood cells. If it’s not, the results can tell your doctor which cells are unhealthy and why. Bone marrow tests are an important tool. They’re used to diagnose a variety of blood and bone marrow disorders, including anemia and certain kinds of... »
Who Needs Bone Marrow Tests?
Your doctor may recommend bone marrow tests if he or she thinks you have a blood or bone marrow disease or condition. These diseases and conditions include: Myelodysplastic (MI-e-lo-dis-PLAST-ik) syndrome. This is a group of diseases in which your bone marrow doesn’t make enough normal blood cells. Neutropenia (NU-tro-PE-ne-ah). This is a condition in... »