A hematologist is a doctor who specializes in health problems relating to blood, including blood cells and vessels, lymph nodes, and bone marrow. Hematologists treat many different conditions, such as anemia, where the blood doesn’t have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen efficiently, and clotting disorders like hemophilia, where blood doesn’t clot properly. They are also trained to treat blood cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma, which start in the bone marrow where blood cells are made.  

A person might be referred to a hematologist if their primary care doctor notices something unusual about their blood. For example, they could have low or high numbers of certain blood cells in a blood test. Symptoms like feeling tired all the time, bruising easily, or having frequent nosebleeds might also be reasons to see a hematologist. Hematologists use specialized diagnostic tests to pinpoint the cause of these symptoms and identify any underlying conditions. Their expertise allows them to recommend targeted treatments and monitor blood health over time. 

A hematologist focuses on treating blood-related conditions, such as anemia, blood clotting disorders, and sickle cell disease. In contrast, an oncologist treats cancers that can occur in different parts of the body, such as the lungs, breast, or skin. Some doctors are trained in both fields and are known as hematologist-oncologists. They treat blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, as well as non-cancerous blood disorders. This dual training allows them to treat conditions that involve both blood disorders and cancer. 

Blood disorders are health problems that affect the blood in different ways. Some common blood disorders include: 

• Anemia: When there aren’t enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen, leading to symptoms like tiredness, dizziness, and pale skin. 

• Hemophilia: A disorder where the blood doesn’t clot properly, causing people to bleed for a long time after a cut or injury. 

• Sickle Cell Disease: This condition causes red blood cells to be shaped like a sickle (a curved tool) instead of round. These oddly shaped cells can block blood flow and cause pain. 

Anemia is the most common blood disorder that hematologists diagnose. It can happen to people assigned female at birth during their periods or pregnancy. It can also develop if someone doesn’t get enough iron or certain vitamins. Sometimes, taking certain medicines can cause anemia. 

Hematologists perform different tests to check how blood is working. One common test is a complete blood count, which measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This test helps find problems like anemia or infections. Another test is a blood clotting test, which checks if blood clots too slowly or too quickly. For some conditions, a bone marrow biopsy might be needed, where a small sample of bone marrow is taken to look for diseases like leukemia. There are also special genetic tests to see if a blood disorder runs in families.  

There are various reasons why you may want to see a specialist, such as: 

• Your primary care provider recommends it. 

• Your condition requires expert knowledge and specialized care. 

• Your symptoms persist or worsen despite treatment. 

• You need specialized testing or procedures. 

• You want a second opinion.  

It’s important to see a provider with expertise in your specific condition. Each provider profile in MediFind’s doctor database includes information on which conditions they treat, years of experience, research contributions, languages spoken, insurance plans accepted, and more.  

You can find a Hematologist in any of the 10 largest U.S. cities by clicking below:

Hematologist near New York, NY
Hematologist near Los Angeles, CA
Hematologist near Chicago, IL
Hematologist near Houston, TX
Hematologist near Phoenix, AZ
Hematologist near Philadelphia, PA
Hematologist near Atlanta, GA
Hematologist near Boston, MA
Hematologist near Dallas, TX
Hematologist near San Jose, CA

MediFind’s rankings are based on a variety of data sources, such as the number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials and industry conferences, as well as the number of patients that provider sees for a given condition. Note that MediFind’s provider database is not based on user reviews, and providers do not pay to be included in the database. 

Most profiles in MediFind’s doctor database include a list of insurance plans accepted by that provider. However, it’s a good idea to contact the provider’s office to make sure they still accept your insurance, then doublecheck by contacting your insurance plan to confirm they’re in network. 

MediFind offers direct scheduling for certain providers using the “Request Appointment” button on that provider’s profile. If the schedule option is not available for a provider, tap the red “Show Phone Number” button on their profile to get their contact information. If you prefer to find providers who offer online scheduling, select “Schedules online” under the “Availability” category of the filter feature on the left side of the Hematologist search results page. 

Second opinions are an opportunity to confirm a diagnosis and its root cause, learn about alternative treatment options, or simply gain peace of mind. Many people, especially those with serious diagnoses, get second opinions so they can understand all their options and make informed decisions, so don’t hesitate to get one if you have any doubts or need more information or clarification regarding your care. Note that some insurance plans require second opinions, while others don’t cover second opinions, so be sure to confirm with your insurance provider first.   

Prepare for your appointment by gathering the following items: 

• Copies of medical records (dating back at least one year) 

• Your medical history, including illnesses, medical conditions, surgeries, and other doctors you see 

• Family history of disease 

• List of current prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal remedies or supplements including names and doses 

• Allergies to medications, food, latex, insects, etc.  

• List of questions and concerns 

• Your insurance card 

You might also contact the provider’s office to see if they offer transportation or childcare services or if you’re allowed to bring a loved one for support or to take notes during your visit. 

Here are some sample questions: 

• Can you explain in simple terms what this condition is and how it’s treated? 

• What symptoms or side effects should I watch for? 

• What tests will be involved, and when can I expect results? 

• Are there other specialists I need to see? 

• What’s the best way to reach you if I have follow-up questions? 

MediFind’s Clinical Trials tool asks you a series of questions to help you narrow down your search by health condition, age, gender, location, how far you’re willing to travel, and more. Each question you answer filters down the number of trials until you find the ones that are most relevant to you. 

MediFind’s Latest Advances tool features summaries of recent articles published in medical journals. We use cutting-edge technology to scour medical publication databases for the latest research advancements on any given condition, then we simplify this information in a way that’s useful and easy to understand. 

Look for the filter feature on the left side of the Hematologist search results page. Select “Female” or “Male” under the “Gender” category to search for female or male providers exclusively. If the “Any” option is selected, it will pull results for both male and female providers. 

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Aplastic Anemia
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)
Hemophilia A
Hemophilia B
Hodgkin Lymphoma
Immune Thrombocytopenia
Leukemia
Multiple Myeloma
Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Rheumatoid Vasculitis
Sepsis
Sickle Cell Disease
Thalassemia

Look for the filter feature on the left-side of the Hematologist search results page. Select “Offers telehealth visits” under the Availability category to search for providers who offer virtual appointments (video calls). 

Reviewed on: 11/07/24  

By: MediFind Medical Staff 

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