Peripheral Smear Exam, Edta Whole Blood

Peripheral blood smear is a test that's used to help diagnose and monitor a wide variety of blood disorders and other conditions that affect blood. The test checks a sample of blood under a microscope to see whether blood cells look normal.  This test gives them a clear picture of changes in blood cells and platelets that may be a sign of disease. A peripheral blood smear test is an important part of diagnosing disease. 

A peripheral blood smear (PBS) test is a laboratory test used to examine the characteristics of blood cells. A small sample of blood is spread thinly on a microscope slide, then stained and examined under a microscope. It allows healthcare providers to assess the number, size, shape, and appearance of different types of blood cells, such as:

1. Red blood cells (RBCs) - to check for abnormalities like anaemia or sickle cells.
2. White blood cells (WBCs) - to assess for infections, inflammation, leukaemia, or other immune system issues.
3. Platelets - to evaluate clotting ability and platelet count.
4. Immature cells : This  test can reveal if there are an unusual number of immature cells, which might be a sign of leukemia or other hematologic conditions

Peripheral blood smear test is suggested in some conditions such as:

• Leukaemia : It happens when bone marrow cells mutate and become abnormal cells that outnumber normal blood cells.
• Myelodysplastic Syndrome : This syndrome includes cancers caused by mutations in blood stem cells.
• Anaemia : anaemia is a condition when body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells. 
• Heart Failure : A higher-than-normal red blood cell count may be a sign of low blood oxygen levels linked to heart failure.
• Lymphoma : Lymphoma happens when white blood cells in lymphatic system mutates into a cancerous cell that doesn’t shrink in number or size.
• Autoimmune Disease : These diseases happen when immune system accidentally launches attacks on body instead of protecting it. A low white blood cell count may be a symptom of an autoimmune disease.
• Infection : To check Parasites in the blood
• Sickle Cell Disease or Thalassemia: Blood smear can reveal characteristic changes in red blood cells.

Doctor may suggest a peripheral blood smear test if:

• Unexplained symptoms like fatigue, weakness, fever, or bruising.
• A blood count (CBC) is abnormal.
• There's a need to further evaluate the types of cells present in blood.
• There’s suspicion of a blood disorder or infection.