What is a blood smear?
A blood smear is a sample of blood that’s tested on a specially treated slide. For a blood smear test, a laboratory professional examines the slide under a microscope and looks at the size, shape, and number of different types of blood cells. These include:
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Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body
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White blood cells, which fight infection
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Platelets, which help your blood clot
Many blood tests use computers to analyze results. For a blood smear, the lab professional looks for blood cell problems that may not be seen in computer analysis.
Why do I need a blood smear?
You may need a blood smear if you have abnormal results on a complete blood count (CBC). A CBC is a routine test that measures many different parts of your blood. Your health care provider may also order a blood smear if you have symptoms of a blood disorder. These symptoms include:
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Fatigue
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Jaundice, is a condition that causes your skin and eyes to turn yellow
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Pale skin
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Unusual bleeding, including nose bleeds
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Fever
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Bone pain
In addition, you may need a blood smear if you have been exposed to ticks or have traveled to a developing country, or if your health care provider thinks you have a disease caused by a parasite, such as malaria. Parasites may be seen when a blood smear is looked at under a microscope.
What happens during a blood smear?
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes. . At SOUTH PUNJAB LAB this test is done by MINDRAY-BC 6200.
What do the results mean?
Your results will show if your blood cells look normal or not normal. You’ll have separate results for red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
If your red blood cell results are not normal, it may indicate:
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Anemia
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Sickle cell anemia
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Hemolytic anemia is a type of anemia in which red blood cells are destroyed before they can be replaced, leaving the body without enough healthy red blood cells
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Thalassemia
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Bone marrow disorders
If your white blood cell results are not normal, it may indicate:
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Infection
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Allergies
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Leukemia
If your platelet results are not normal, it may indicate thrombocytopenia, a condition in which your blood has a lower than a normal number of platelets.