Haematology | Blood health

The cost depends on your individual circumstances. At the time of your appointment, your consultant will discuss all options with you and ensure all your questions are answered.

Our fixed-price packages for inpatient or day case treatment include the cost of all appropriate aftercare appointments. However, any outpatient treatment, diagnostic tests and your consultant’s outpatient appointment consultation fee are charged separately.

Our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your payment across a time period that suits you.

If you have private health insurance, the procedure will usually be covered by your provider. Speak to your insurer directly to find out.

There are several different types of blood disorders. A blood disorder may affect the size, shape or number of your blood cells, the transportation of oxygen around your body or your blood’s ability to clot.

Types of blood disorders include:

Anaemia

Anaemia is a condition where you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells to effectively transport oxygen around your body. It can occur if your body doesn’t make enough haemoglobin or red cells, if your body destroys too many red blood cells or if you lose a lot of blood. There are several different types of anaemia including iron-deficiency anaemia, Vit B12 or folic acid deficiency anaemia, thalassaemia (see below) and many other types.

Polycythaemia

Polycythaemia means that the blood is too thick. This can occur if not enough oxygen is getting into the blood (for example with lung diseases like COPD) or if the bone marrow starts on its own accord to make too many red cells (primary polycythaemia).

Haemochromatosis

Haemochromatosis is an inherited condition that allows the body to absorb too much iron. Too much iron can damage the liver, the pancreas and the joints. This condition is most commonly seen in North Europeans and the Celtic nations in particular. It is much more common than is generally realised and approximately 1 in 8 people of north European extraction are carriers of haemochromatosis. Haemochromatosis can be treated by either haematologists or gastroenterologists.

Blood cancers

Blood cancers occur when there are mutations (changes) to the DNA inside blood cells. There are several different types of blood cancers including leukaemia, myeloma, and lymphoma

Sickle cell disease

This is a group of inherited diseases that causes red blood cells to become sickle-shaped. The abnormally shaped cells don’t live as long as normal red blood cells and can block blood flow around your body. Sickle cell disease can cause pain, anaemia, and an increased risk of infection. The condition is particularly common in people of African or Caribbean descent.

Thalassemia

An inherited disorder where the body doesn’t make enough haemoglobin, the protein that enables red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body.

Bleeding disorders

Bleeding disorders can be inherited, meaning you are born with the condition, or acquired, meaning they develop later in life. They prevent your blood from clotting effectively.

Inherited bleeding disorders include Von Willebrand’s disease and haemophilia. Acquired bleeding disorders may be caused by liver disease, vitamin K deficiency or by taking anticoagulants.

Thrombocytopenia

Thrombocytopenia is a condition where you have low numbers of blood cells called platelets. Platelets help stop bleeding by clumping together and forming plugs in damaged blood vessels. Thrombocytopenia can develop as a result of a bone marrow disorder like leukaemia, an autoimmune disease, or as a side effect of some medications.

Thrombocytosis / Thrombocythaemia

Thrombocytosis / thrombocythaemia occurs when the bone marrow makes too many platelets. This can be reactive i.e. secondary to inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease. It can also be primary i.e. when the marrow works on its own accord to make too many platelets.

Thrombophilia (hypercoagulability)

Thrombophilia is a condition where your blood has an increased tendency to clot. It can be genetic (inherited) or acquired. Having thrombophilia increases your risk of developing blood clots that can lead to serious conditions such as a heart attack, pulmonary embolism, or stroke. 

At your first consultation, you will be seen by a consultant haematologist, a doctor specialising in diseases of the blood.

Your consultant will ask you about your symptoms, medical history, general health, and any medications you are taking. They will perform a physical examination and arrange a blood test to confirm or rule out a haematological condition.

How is a diagnosis made?

Your consultant will make a diagnosis based on your symptoms and the results of your blood tests.

Why is this first consultation so important?

At Circle Health Group, your first appointment is important as it’s where your consultant will ask you about your symptoms, perform a physical examination, arrange a blood test, provide a diagnosis, and discuss possible treatments.

Your first consultation is also where we get to know you and encourage you to ask any questions you may have. It is important to us that you are as well-informed and comfortable as possible during your time with us, so please discuss any questions or concerns with your consultant at your first appointment.

At the end of your appointment, your consultant will discuss possible treatment options with you and decide on the best option based on your symptoms and diagnosis. 

Treatment for blood disorders depends on the type of blood disorder you have. Your consultant will recommend a treatment for you tailored to your individual needs.

Haematology treatments may include:

Watchful waiting

If your blood disorder is not harmful and you do not have any symptoms, you may not require immediate treatment. Your consultant may advise ‘watchful waiting’ where your condition is closely monitored over time for any new or worsening symptoms.

Blood tests

Blood tests can be used to diagnose blood disorders, monitor your condition, and assess how well your treatment is working. Some common blood tests your haematologist may order include:

• Full blood count (FBC) — this is a routine blood test that provides information on your blood cells and includes:
  • White blood cell count (WBC) — high numbers can indicate infection
  • Red blood cell count (RBC) — a low RBC can indicate anaemia or a vitamin B12 or folate deficiency
  • Platelets —measures how well your blood clots
  • Haematocrit (HCT) —measures the percentage of red cells in your blood and can be used to diagnose a range of conditions
  • Haemoglobin(HB) — a low HB indicates anaemia. High HB indicates polycythaemia.
  • Blood differential test — measures the percentage of each type of white blood cell. It can be used to diagnose and monitor several conditions including infections, autoimmune diseases, and some types of blood cancer
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) — measures inflammation in the body and can be used to diagnose conditions that cause inflammation and monitor how well your treatment is working
• Clotting screen — a group of tests to measure how well your blood clots
• International normalised ratio (INR) — is used for people taking the anticoagulant (blood thinner) warfarin to measure how well the medication is working
• Blood film — this test uses a special dye to examine blood cells on a glass slide. It looks at the number, shape and size of your blood cells and identifies any abnormal or immature cells such as sickle cells or spherocytes. It can also be used to detect blood parasites such as malaria.
• Cardiac enzymes — are used to help diagnose cardiovascular conditions such as a heart attack
• IM test (PB) — a test for infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever)
• Group and screen (blood group and antibody screen) —is used to identify a person’s blood group and antibody profile before a blood transfusion

Bone marrow biopsy

A bone marrow biopsy is a procedure that involves taking a sample of your bone marrow and sending it to the laboratory for testing. Bone marrow is where your blood is produced, and a bone marrow biopsy can help diagnose conditions affecting your blood or bone marrow such as anaemia, thrombocytopenia, and some cancers. A bone marrow biopsy can also measure how far cancer has progressed and monitor how well treatment is working. The procedure lasts around 30 minutes and doesn’t usually involve a hospital stay.

Blood transfusion

A blood transfusion is a procedure where blood from one person (a donor) is given to another (a recipient) through a vein. Your haematologist may recommend a blood transfusion if you don’t have enough red blood cells. You may need a blood transfusion if your body isn’t making enough red blood cells or if you have lost blood due to injury or surgery.

Blood transfusions can be used to treat conditions that affect how your red blood cells work such as sickle cell disease or thalassemia, to replace blood loss due to surgery, trauma, or cancers.

Venesection

Venesection is the removal of pints of blood. This can be carried out to treat polycythaemia to thin the blood or haemochromatosis to remove excess iron.

Haemato-oncology treatment

Haemato-oncology is a specialist area of medicine that combines haematology and oncology (cancer treatment). Haemato-oncologists treat all types of blood cancers including leukaemia, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma.

Haemato-oncology treatments include:

Stem cell transplants

This is a procedure where healthy blood-producing cells from a donor are transferred to a recipient via an infusion. Stem cell transplants may be recommended for people whose cells have been destroyed by cancer treatment, to treat certain cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, and to treat some blood disorders including aplastic anaemia, sickle cell disease, and some autoimmune diseases.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a type of medication that kills cancer cells. It works by stopping cancer cells from dividing and reproducing. Chemotherapy may be used in combination with other treatments like stem cell therapy or radiotherapy.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy involves using high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells. It can also help relieve cancer symptoms such as pain. Radiotherapy can be used alone or in combination with other cancer treatments like chemotherapy, or stem cell transplants.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy works by triggering your body's immune system to fight cancer cells. Cancer cells behave differently from normal cells in that they divide rapidly and frequently change (mutate) which can prevent them from being recognised by your immune system. Immunotherapy drugs help to alert the immune system about these abnormal cells, triggering it to locate and destroy them.

Medications

Your consultant may prescribe medication to treat your blood disorder or help relieve symptoms. The type of medication you are prescribed depends on your diagnosis.

Some medications used to treat blood disorders include:

Anticoagulants

These medications prevent your blood from clotting too easily. Your consultant may prescribe anticoagulants to reduce your risk of serious illness such as a heart attack or stroke. The most commonly prescribed anticoagulant is warfarin, but other types are available.

Growth factor supplements

Growth factors are chemical messengers that encourage cells in the bone marrow to produce more blood cells. Erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESA) stimulate your bone marrow to produce more red blood cells, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) encourages the production of white blood cells and thrombopoietin (TPO) tells your bone marrow to make more platelets. Growth factor supplements may be used in the treatment of patients with a variety of cancers (including blood cancers) anaemia, or thrombocytopenia.

Corticosteroids

Steroids, or corticosteroids work by suppressing your immune system. They can help to ease inflammation, lower the risk of an allergic reaction to cancer treatments, reduce your body’s immune response after a bone marrow transplant, relieve nausea and improve appetite during cancer treatment.

Corticosteroids may be prescribed to treat some cancers and blood disorders such as autoimmune haemolytic anemia.

Dietary supplements

Dietary supplements such as iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 may be prescribed to treat conditions such as iron deficiency anaemia and vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia. 

As with all types of treatment, haematology treatment may carry a small risk of complications or side effects. Your consultant will explain all the potential risks and complications before you start your treatment. It’s important that you understand all the possible risks and complications of your treatment to allow you to make an informed decision.

To reduce the risk of complications, tell your consultant about any medical conditions or allergies you have and any medications, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements you are taking. Follow your consultant’s instructions on how to take your medication carefully and call the hospital if you have any questions. Contact your consultant if you experience unpleasant side effects, or if your side effects are getting worse or not going away. 

At Circle Health Group, we have the experience and expertise to ensure the best possible care and outcome for our patients. As a patient with Circle Health Group, you can expect the highest standards of care including:

• Flexible appointment times and locations that are convenient for you
• The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
• Private ensuite rooms as standard
• A range of delicious healthy meals
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to see a consultant or learn more about haematology treatment, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly on 0808 189 5499.

Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in April 2024. Next review due April 2027.

• Haematology The Royal College of Pathologists
• Hematology Johns Hopkins medicine
• Hematology Tests news medical life sciences
• Hematology oncology Cancercenter.com