My friend Bev called me in a tizzy last spring. She'd seen a TV news story about a new Alzheimer's blood test and wanted one right away. "I keep forgetting words, Cindy. Last week I couldn't think of 'colander.' I want to know if I have it."
So she asked her doctor for "the Alzheimer's blood test." Her doctor didn't brush her off. But she explained something that surprised Bev. These tests are meant for specific people, in specific situations, and they don't give a simple yes-or-no answer. What Bev needed first was a proper memory evaluation.
I learned a lot from what Bev's doctor told her, and I want to share it, because those headlines can make it sound so simple.
Is there a blood test for Alzheimer's disease?
There are now blood tests that can help doctors evaluate Alzheimer's disease, and that's real progress. In May 2025, the FDA cleared the first one for use in specialized care settings. That fall, the FDA cleared another designed for primary care doctors, and more have followed.
These tests look for proteins in the blood linked to amyloid plaques, the buildup in the brain associated with Alzheimer's. But they're tools to help your doctor, not a stand-alone diagnosis.
Who are Alzheimer's blood tests for?
In plain words, the cleared tests are meant for adults 55 and older who already have signs or symptoms of memory or thinking problems, as part of a full evaluation by their doctor. They are not a screening test for people without symptoms, not a diagnosis on their own, and not a prediction of what will happen in the future.
The Alzheimer's Association explained it well when one test was cleared: it's designed to help rule out Alzheimer's-related changes, and it won't give an Alzheimer's diagnosis by itself.
What should I do if I'm worried about my memory?
Start with your doctor, not a blood test. Make an appointment just for your memory concerns, and bring notes. Write down what you've noticed, when it started, and whether it's affecting everyday life, like paying bills, following recipes, or driving to familiar places. If you can, bring a family member who knows you well.
Your yearly Medicare wellness visit includes a check on memory and thinking, which is a good place to raise it. Bob explained what that visit includes.
What else can cause memory problems?
Put simply, lots of things besides Alzheimer's can cause memory trouble, and many of them can be treated. They include side effects from medicines, poor sleep, hearing loss, thyroid problems, low vitamin B12, and stress, depression, or grief. That's one reason a full evaluation matters more than a single test.
Bringing an up-to-date medicine list helps your doctor spot side effects. I explained how to make one in my post on why your medication list matters.
What should I ask before getting an Alzheimer's blood test?
If your doctor suggests one, it's fair to ask: Why do you recommend this test for me? What would a positive or negative result mean? What would we do next either way? And is it covered by Medicare or my plan, or what will it cost me? A good doctor will welcome those questions.
What Bev learned
Bev's doctor did a memory screening, reviewed her medicines, and ordered some standard blood work. It turned out Bev's thyroid was off, she was sleeping poorly, and a new allergy pill was making her foggy. Three months later, with her thyroid treated and a different allergy pill, the word-finding trouble had mostly faded. She's keeping an eye on it with her doctor, and that's exactly right.
Take good care of yourself, and take even better care of each other.
Have you or someone you love had a memory evaluation? Tell me in the comments what helped you feel less worried.
