How does a doctor test to see if you have leukemia?

Labs and beyond: Basic screening would be to take a history to see if you have symptoms of leukemia. Then basic labs to check your blood count. If anything is suspicious they may consider a bone marrow biopsy.

Blood work: The first step is a CBC which can show if there is a problem with the counts. The blood smear can the tell if the cells appear to be abnormal. Usually if the is a concern a bone marrow test, flow cytometry, and cytogenetics may be needed.

See below...: If there are signs and symptoms suspicious of leukemia, the initial test is usually a blood test (cbc with differential and morphology) followed by a bone marrow study.