What laboratory tests will help assess heavy flow?
The first thing is to order a hemoglobin and hematocrit. If you get a history of ongoing heavy flow, or use of iron therapy then assessment of ferritin, or the storage form of iron, is also needed. Only if she reports a family history of a bleeding disorder or personal excess bleeding with surgery should tests of the coagulation system initially be ordered. If her period was late or she could be pregnant, do a pregnancy test—she could be having a miscarriage.
