Sarah is an experienced writer and editor enthusiastic about helping readers live their healthiest and happiest lives. Before joining Forbes Health, Sarah worked as a writer for various digital ...

A complete blood count (CBC) is a common test to diagnose anemia by measuring red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels. Iron deficiency is a common cause of anemia, and doctors may ...

Christy Bieber has a JD from UCLA School of Law and began her career as a college instructor and textbook author. She has been writing full time for over a decade with a focus on making financial and ...

Immunoglobulins (antibodies) are Y-shaped proteins made by plasma cells that help fight infection. They neutralize invaders, tag them for macrophages, and trigger other immune responses. Each antibody ...

A BMP is a blood test that measures eight different chemicals that occur naturally in the blood. It can inform doctors about electrolytes, fluid balance, glucose levels, and other markers of a ...

Blood tests can help diagnose and monitor systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). These include tests for antinuclear antibodies (ANAs), anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies, and more. While ...

What Is an MCV Blood Test? MCV stands for mean corpuscular volume. An MCV blood test measures the average size of red blood cells, which have the critical job of carrying oxygen to your organs. If ...

What Is a RDW Blood Test? An RDW blood test – also known as a red blood cell distribution width blood test – is a measure of the difference in your red blood cells’ size and volume. RDW is one part of ...

Blood sugar checks are essential for the diagnosis and treatment of every form of diabetes. “Glucose monitoring is critical for preventing short-term and long-term complications of diabetes,” says ...

Mark Gurarie is a writer covering health topics, technology, music, books, and culture. He also teaches health science and research writing at George Washington University's School of Medical and ...