Can hemophilia be detected through blood tests?
In general, hemophilia can be diagnosed through blood tests. Targeted blood examinations can clarify abnormalities in coagulation function and help determine whether a person has hemophilia and identify the specific type. The details are as follows:
Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder caused by deficiency of clotting factors, and blood testing is key to diagnosis. Commonly used tests include the coagulation panel (four parameters), which typically shows normal prothrombin time (PT) but prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), indicating an abnormality in the intrinsic coagulation pathway and guiding further diagnostic evaluation. Based on these findings, clotting factor activity assays can accurately identify the type and level of deficient clotting factor—for example, factor VIII deficiency in hemophilia A and factor IX deficiency in hemophilia B—allowing definitive diagnosis and differentiation between types.
Additionally, although genetic testing is not part of traditional routine blood tests, it is often performed alongside blood tests. By detecting mutations in relevant genes, it can clarify the genetic background and help assess the risk of hereditary transmission.