PERIPHERAL SMEAR EXAMINATION
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Certified Labs
NABH Accredited
60 mins collection
Not specified
Reports in
3hr
Measures
Blood cell morphology and abnormalities
Identifies
Abnormalities in blood cells
About The Test
What Is a Peripheral Smear Examination and Why Is It Important?
A peripheral smear examination is a laboratory test conducted to check the morphology of blood
cells including red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. To do this, we take a drop of the patient’s blood which is then spread onto the slide that will be stained by dye before being viewed using microscope.
Peripheral smear examination is an essential diagnostic tool that aids in identifying different blood disorders like anaemia, leukaemia and infection. Through assessing characteristics of shape, size, colour and arrangement among others of these cells, doctors can have more insight into these diseases.
What Does a Peripheral Smear Examination Measure?
A peripheral smear examination assesses the following in blood cells:
1. Red Blood Cells (RBCs): size, shape, colour and presence of inclusions
2. White Blood Cells (WBCs): type, size, shape and presence of inclusions
3. Platelets: size, shape and presence of inclusions
4. Distribution and arrangement of blood cells
When Is a Peripheral Smear Examination Usually Done?
Peripheral smear examination is usually ordered when patients have symptoms such as:
1. Anaemia or abnormal blood counts.
2. Infections or inflammations.
3. Unexplained bleeding or bruising.
4. Suspected blood-related disorders like leukaemia or lymphoma.
Are There Any Risk or Limitation to a Peripheral Smear Examination?
The peripheral smear examination is relatively safe and non-invasive. However, there are some limitations to consider:
1. This test cannot identify all blood related disorders or abnormalities.
2. Sometimes various factors like quality of blood sample, staining technique used, and microscope being utilized may influence its results.
3. Some other tests may be needed to verify whether someone has a specific condition or not.
List of Parameters
What parameters are evaluated in the Peripheral Smear Examination?
Medical professionals evaluate the following parameters during the Peripheral Smear Examination:
Red Blood Cell (RBC) morphology:
1. Size and shape
2. Colour and presence of inclusions
3. Presence of anisocytosis (unequal cell size)
4. Presence of poikilocytosis (abnormal cell shape)
White Blood Cell (WBC) morphology:
1. Type and number of WBCs
2. Presence of blast cells or immature forms
3. Presence of inclusions or vacuoles.
Platelet morphology:
1. Size and shape
2. Presence of inclusions or vacuoles.
3. Platelet count.
Why This Test
Who Should Consider Taking the Peripheral Smear Examination?
The people who would be recommended for this test include those who;
1. Have symptoms related to blood-related disorders like anaemia.
2. Have a relative/s with these diseases mentioned earlier.
3. Are currently undergoing cancer chemotherapy sessions, radiotherapy, etc.
4. Have their immunity significantly reduced due to medications that they may be on e.g. immunosuppressive drugs.
Benefits
The Advantages Brought about by Peripheral Smear Testing on Your Health Life.
The Peripheral Smear Examination provides several benefits, including:
1. Early detection and diagnosis of blood-related disorders
2. Monitoring of treatment effectiveness
3. Identification of potential bleeding or clotting disorders
4. Detection of infections or inflammatory conditions
What Conditions Can the Peripheral Smear Examination Diagnose?
The peripheral smear examination is a test that is used to diagnose several conditions including:
1. Anaemia such as iron deficiency and vitamin deficiency
2. Blood related diseases like leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
3. Infections for instance sepsis and meningitis.
4. Inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and vasculitis.
5. Bleeding or clotting disorders which could be haemophilia or thrombophilia.
Test Preparation
Preparing for your Peripheral Smear Examination
There are no specific preparations required for the Peripheral Smear Examination. However:
Prerequisites: A blood sample is a prerequisite.
Eligibility: This test can be done on individuals of all ages.
Procedure for Taking the Test: A healthcare provider will collect either a veinous blood or finger stick sample from you.
Caution Before the Test: Let your healthcare provider know about any medication or supplement you are taking.
Test Results
Interpreting the Results of Your Peripheral Smear Examination
| Condition/Findings | Description | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Red Blood Cell (RBC) Abnormalities | ||
| Anisocytosis | Unequal cell size | Could indicate anisocytosis, iron deficiency anaemia, or blood disorders. |
| Poikilocytosis | Abnormal cell shape | May be a sign of poikilocytosis, vitamin deficiency anaemia, or blood disorders. |
| Normocytic anaemia | Normal-sized RBCs | Suggests normocytic anaemia, blood loss, or chronic disease. |
| Microcytic anaemia | Small RBCs | Iron deficiency anaemia or thalassemia might cause this condition. |
| Macrocytic anaemia | Large RBCs | Could indicate vitamin deficiency anaemia or myelodysplastic syndrome. |
| White Blood Cell (WBC) Abnormalities | ||
| Neutrophilia | High number of neutrophils | May indicate infection, inflammation, or leukaemia. |
| Lymphocytosis | High number of lymphocytes | Possible causes include viral infections or diseases like tuberculosis. |
| Monocytosis | High number of monocytes | Can be caused by infections such as HIV/AIDS |
| Eosinophilia | High number of eosinophils | May be linked to asthma or hay fever. |
| Platelet Abnormalities | ||
| Thrombocytopenia | Low platelet count | Could indicate leukaemia, bleeding disorders, or myelodysplastic syndrome |
| Thrombocytosis | High platelet count | Possible causes include cancer or myeloproliferative neoplasms. |
| Other Findings | ||
| Blast cells or immature forms | Presence of blast cells | May indicate leukaemia or lymphoma. |
| Inclusions or vacuoles | On RBCs, WBCs, or platelets | Could show blood-related disorders or infection. |
FAQs
Is Peripheral Smear Examination a dependable test?
Yes, peripheral smear examination is a reliable test provided it’s done and interpreted well.
Can the Peripheral Smear Examination find all blood-related disorders?
No, this test may not detect all blood-related disorders. For confirmation, additional testing may be necessary to rule out some conditions.
Is the Peripheral Smear Examination safe for everyone?
Yes, generally peripheral smear examination is safe for everyone. Nonetheless, do not forget to let your healthcare provider know about any drugs you take or supplements you use.
How long does it take to get results of the Peripheral Smear Examination?
Typically, 1-2 business days is how long it takes before results from a peripheral smear will be available.
What do I need to do to prepare for the Peripheral Smear Examination?
You don’t require any special preparations for the Peripheral Smear Examination. Nonetheless, let your health worker know about drugs and supplements you are presently using.