Following your doctor’s instructions is the most important part of preparing for a blood test. Sleeping well, staying hydrated, and avoiding certain foods and drinks can also provide benefits. Blood ...

Testing a person's blood for a type of protein called phosphorylated tau, or p-tau, could be used to screen for Alzheimer's disease with "high accuracy," even before symptoms begin to show, a new ...

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 ...

The fibrinogen blood test is used to assess how well the protein called fibrinogen — also called coagulation factor I — performs in the blood and to measure its levels in your blood. The test is also ...

To screen for colon and rectal cancers, most people have colonoscopies, which can feel invasive and require anesthesia, or they may take an at-home stool test, which can be more convenient but also ...

Recent research suggests that blood tests may show markers of oral cancer. But a blood test isn’t enough to confirm an oral cancer diagnosis. A biopsy is the only way to confirm it. Blood tests for ...

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 ...