visiting your GP (family doctor)
Your GP will examine you and arrange for blood tests to be done. There may be a number of reasons why you're feeling unwell, so it can be difficult to immediately diagnose the problem without the blood test. If the blood tests aren't normal, you'll be referred to a specialist at the hospital.
The doctor you will be referred to will probably be a specialist, known as a haematologist, who treats people with blood disorders.
at the hospital
The hospital doctor will examine you and arrange for more detailed tests.
- Blood tests - although you may have had blood taken already, further tests will be needed. These will show if there are low numbers of normal white blood cells and the presence of any abnormal leukaemic cells.
- Bone marrow test - both the blood and the bone marrow sample will be tested in detail to look at what changes there are in the cells. This is known as cytogenetics and immunophenotyping, and helps the doctors decide on the best treatment for you.
- Lumbar puncture - a small sample of the fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord is taken to check for leukaemia cells.
- Chest x-ray may also be done to see if there are any swollen glands in your chest.
Waiting for test results can be a scary time, but understanding a little about them - what will happen, how you'll feel and when you'll get the results - can help you cope.
If it is leukaemia, you might need a few more tests to check how your body is working in general. These could be blood tests, or an ultrasound scan of the abdomen to look at your liver, spleen and kidneys.
This may seem like a lot of tests, but they are necessary to help the doctors provide the right treatment for you.
