Peripheral Smear Study (PS examination)

Why test for Peripheral Smear Study (PS examination) at Symbion VIP Diagnostics, Ahmedabad ?

P/S study is also known as: 

• Blood Smear Test
• Erythrocyte Morphology
• Red Blood Cell Morphology

What is Peripheral Blood Smear Examination?
A Peripheral Blood Smear Examination is a procedure, which involves spreading a drop of blood thinly onto a glass slide. It is then treated with a special stain and studied under a microscope to examine the blood cells
The drop of blood used for a Blood Smear test contains numerous red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets. The red blood cells (RBCs) help carry oxygen via blood, to different parts of the body. The function of white blood cells (WBCs) is to fight infection. Platelets are vital for the formation of blood clots during any injury, to prevent bleeding
A Blood Smear test gives information on the number, shape, and general appearance of the blood cells
It also helps diagnose a range of deficiencies, diseases, and disorders involving blood cell production, function, and destruction
The test is also occasionally used to look for parasites causing malaria and filaria, within blood

What are the Clinical Indications for performing the Peripheral Blood Smear Examination?

Clinical indications for performing a Peripheral Blood Smear Examination include:

Your healthcare provider may perform this test as part of a general health exam, to help diagnose many illnesses
This test is also used to monitor or evaluate the effectiveness of treatment, once a diagnosis is made and the treatment started
Many a time, the Blood Smear test is ordered as a more definitive evaluation tool after a complete blood count (CBC) with automated differential test has been performed, and a blood disorder/deficiency suspected

 Some conditions for which the test may be performed include:

• Anemia
• Cancers or leukemia (hairy cell leukemia)
• Myeloproliferative disorder
• Hemoglobinopathies; a group of genetic disorders affecting hemoglobin present in the RBCs. E.g. sickle cell anemia and thalassemia
• Bone marrow disorder
• Bleeding disorders
• Thrombocytopenia (decreased platelets)
• Allergies
• To monitor the side effects of chemotherapy
• Parasitic infections (like malaria or filaria), other infections, inflammations

 Some of the signs and symptoms associated with blood cell disorder or deficiency includes:

• Weakness or fatigue, lack of energy
• Paleness
• Easy bruising or excessive bleeding
• Fever
• Bone and joint pain
• Frequent infection
• Enlarged spleen
• Yellowing of skin or white of the eye
• Blood in urine

What is the Significance of the Peripheral Blood Smear Examination Result?

• The results of the Peripheral Blood Smear Examination do not confirm a disease or a condition
• The test results are evaluated by the physician along with the other clinical signs and symptoms
• Test results from other investigations are often used to form a diagnosis
• The appearance of the blood cells, as well as other findings as seen under the microscope, will help the healthcare provider move in the right direction towards finding the cause of the problem, its severity, and if there is a need for further analysis/exam
• All these factors would aid in providing a suitable treatment to the individual

The laboratory test results are NOT to be interpreted as results of a "stand-alone" test. The test results have to be interpreted after correlating with suitable clinical findings and additional supplemental tests/information. Your healthcare providers will explain the meaning of your tests results, based on the overall clinical scenario. For further information about these lab tests contact Symbion VIP Diagnostics pathology lab Ahmedabad at 09429410291