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What is the Peripheral Blood Smear Test?
A Peripheral blood smear test is performed to check the characteristics of blood cells. Blood cells include:
- Red blood cells (RBC)Â
- White blood cells (WBC)
- Platelets.
By placing a sample of blood on a specifically treated slide, these blood components are observed under a microscope for their size, shape, and count. Any irregularity in these cells indicates blood disorders, the presence of parasites in our blood and other conditions. This test proves very beneficial in monitoring a disease or checking whether a certain therapy is working or not. Though many tests are performed with the help of computers, this test still retains its importance for it helps to view problems that are not observed in computer analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the Peripheral Blood Smear Test used for?
This test is used to check abnormalities in blood cells. These abnormalities help diagnose respective disorders. Blood disorders like anaemia, leukaemia, thalassemia etcThe presence of parasitic infections, thrombocytopenia, jaundice, bone disorders etc. can be detected by this test. It is also used for monitoring the progress of certain diseases and also to check therapy progress in case of chemotherapy.
How to understand the results of the Peripheral Blood Smear Test?
Normal results indicate that the blood components i.e. the RBC, WBC and platelets are present in the right count and have no abnormality in their size, colour, and shape. Abnormality in characteristics of these cells results in an abnormal blood smear. Abnormal blood smear could indicate anaemia, jaundice, leukaemia, thrombocytopenia, infections, sickle cell disease, etc.
Why is Peripheral Blood Smear Test needed?
A Blood smear is needed to diagnose a disorder when you experience fatigue, prolonged fever or show symptoms of anaemia, jaundice, or malaria. Physicians also suggest this test when there is a need to monitor certain therapy or the status of any existing disease. If you are experiencing related symptoms, get yourself tested - book an appointment now.
What happens during the Peripheral Blood Smear Test?
It is a very simple process, where a health professional collects blood from a vein of your arm with a needle. A sample of blood is then placed on a slide, under laboratory conditions, and the blood cells are observed under a microscope.
What diseases require a Peripheral Blood Smear Test and Why?
Various diseases are diagnosed through blood smear tests. The specific abnormality in the blood cells indicates the disorder present. Below are examples of a few diseases and the abnormalities associated.
- Sickle-shaped RBC which are elongated cells with pointed ends indicate Sickle cell anaemia
- Tear-drop-shaped RBC indicates the presence of iron deficiency anaemia.Â
- Neutrophilia (increase in the number of neutrophils) indicate bacterial infection, burns, malignancy.Â
- Basophilia is observed in conditions like lymphoma, leukaemia.Â
- Thrombocytopenia (decrease in the number of platelets) is found in case of bone marrow failures, hypersplenism.Â
- Thrombocytosis (increase in number of the platelets) is found in acute hemolysis, iron deficiency, infections, haemorrhage etc.
What can a Blood Smear diagnose?
A blood smear can diagnose a range of blood disorders like anaemia, leukaemia, thalassemia, bone marrow disorders, lymphoma, thrombocytopenia, and parasitic infections. If needed, get a free second opinion, here.
How long does it take to get Peripheral Smear Test results?
It ideally does not take more than 1 or 2 days to receive the test results of a blood smear test.
Can a Blood Smear detect Leukaemia?
Yes, a blood smear test does detect leukaemia. A peripheral blood smear is a very important diagnostic test to detect leukaemia. It not only detects leukaemia, but it also detects the type of leukaemia.
What is a CBC with Peripheral Smear?
CBC is a complete blood count test where the number of RBC, WBC, and platelets are measured. When any abnormality is found in CBC, a blood smear is suggested, in order to make further diagnosis.
Can Blood Smear detect Lymphoma?
Lymphoma can be indicated by a blood smear test, but its diagnosis requires a biopsy. However, the blood smear is vital in checking the disease and treatment progress.
Get a free second opinion from our experts at Yashoda Hospitals today.
References:
- https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/blood-smear/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/blood-smear
- https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=167&ContentID=blood_smear
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4415389/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK263/
- https://biomedres.us/pdfs/BJSTR.MS.ID.004893.pdf
- https://www.webmd.com/cancer/qa/how-long-does-a-blood-smear-for-polycythemia-vera-take#:~:text=The%20blood%20smear%20is%20a,in%20one%20to%20two%20days.
- https://www.cancercenter.com/cancer-types/leukemia/diagnosis-and-detection#:~:text=The%20results%20of%20a%20CBC,on%20the%20type%20of%20leukemia.
- https://cancer.osu.edu/for-patients-and-caregivers/learn-about-cancers-and-treatments/cancers-conditions-and-treatment/cancer-types/hodgkins-lymphoma/screening-and-diagnosis
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