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A peripheral blood smear test is a technique healthcare providers use to examine your red and white blood cells and your platelets. This test gives them a clear picture of changes in your blood cells and platelets that may be a sign of disease.
A blood smear is a test that allows a healthcare provider to take a close look at a blood sample under a microscope. Up close, the smear shows how many of each type of blood cell are present. The sizes, shapes, and colors of the cells can be seen, along with any parasites or fragments in the blood.
Examination of the peripheral blood smear is an inexpensive but powerful diagnostic tool in both children and adults. In some ways, it is becoming a "lost art," but it often provides rapid, reliable access to information about a variety of hematologic disorders.
A peripheral blood smear test is usually ordered as a follow-up test when the complete blood count (CBC) reveals abnormal results. A peripheral smear test can be used to diagnose, monitor numerous conditions and blood diseases that affect population of blood cells.
Examination of the peripheral blood smear should be considered, along with review of the results of peripheral blood counts and red blood cell indices, an essential component of the initial evaluation of all patients with hematologic disorders.
The results of the peripheral blood smear test will generally be reported as normal or abnormal. Most people will receive normal results from this test. How Is the Peripheral Blood Smear Test Examined? A drop of blood is placed between two glass slides.
The peripheral blood smear test evaluates the size, shape, colour, and distribution of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It also assesses the presence of immature or abnormal-looking cells.
A blood smear is typically used as a follow-up test to abnormal results on a complete blood count (CBC) to evaluate the different types of blood cells. It may be used to help diagnose and/or monitor numerous conditions that affect blood cell populations.
Evaluates white blood cells (WBC, leukocytes), red blood cells (RBC, erythrocytes), and platelets (thrombocytes). The blood smear is examined to investigate hematologic problems (blood disorders) and sometimes to look for parasites in the blood, such as malaria and heartworms. What is a blood smear? Why do I need a blood smear?
What Is Peripheral Blood Smear? A key diagnostic tool in hematology, the peripheral blood smear, provides a close-up look at the intricate workings of the circulatory system. The microscopic study of a single blood sample reveals the variety, morphology, and health of blood cells.