The anion gap blood test measures the acid-base and electrolyte balance in the blood. Results can show whether there is an imbalance in a person’s pH levels, which may be making the blood too acidic ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

This article was reviewed by Felix Gussone, MD. In this guide, we’ll break down what most biomarker lab tests measure, how to prepare for them, and what to do once you receive your results. Not ...

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 ...

Dr. Omar Al-Heeti is an assistant professor of medicine at Southern Illinois University and practices internal medicine with a specialty in infectious diseases. He received his medical degree from the ...

Lindsay Modglin is a nurse and professional writer who regularly writes about complex medical topics, as well as travel and the great outdoors. She holds a professional certificate in scientific ...