A 39-year-old member asked:
Does a blood test detect lymphatic diseases like problems with lymphatic flow?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Barbara Stark Baxteranswered
Allergy and Immunology 43 years experience
Usually mechanical: The commonest reasons for interruption of lymphatic flow are surgical, like lymph node removal for breast cancer. When the lymph nodes are cut out of the underarm area, the lymph channels are cut with them, leaving the arm on that side vulnerable to "lymphedema." this is why women do not have blood drawn on the side where they had a mastectomy. There is no blood test for this.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Vasu Brownanswered
Integrative Medicine 35 years experience
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Oct 4, 2016
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