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What is a Blood Count - Part 4
This is the last in this series of articles about the Blood Count. In this part we are going to look at red cell and platelet morphology as seen in a blood film. The Film Comment
Electronic cell analyzers can tell when red cells are normocytic (normal structure and size)) ,normochromic (normal color = normal cellular haemoglobin levels) and present in normal numbers. They can also tell when platelets are of a normal size. If the analyzer detects an abnormality in the red cell or platelet population a flag comes up. At this stage the laboratory scientist will make a blood film and stain it. The two most common abnormal red cell comments are: macrocytic (red cells increased in size), normochromic - seen in B12/folate deficiencies. microcytic (small size), hypochromic (low cellular Haemolglobin content) - seen in Iron deficiency anaemias and in thalassaemias (thalassaemia minor). Red Cell Abnormalities
Some times the structure or morphology of the red cell is abnormal. Some of the abnormalities seen are: Target Cells - these cells lterally look like targets - seen in liver disease and commonly in alcohol abuse. Acanthocytes - these cells look like thorns - seen in haemolytic anaemia especially when there is mechanical damage (eg faulty heart valve). Elliptocytes - these cells are oval instead of round are are seen in a condition called Hereditary elliptocytosis Spherocytes - these are small, high haemoglobinised cells - seen in haemolytic anaemias, hereditary spherocytosis, post burns. There are many more rarer abnormalities but these are out of the scope of this simple explanation. Hopefully having read these 4 articles you will now have a better understanding of what is involved and what we are looking for when your doctor sends you for a blood count. Platelet Morphology
Platelets are the smallest formed element seen in the peripheral blood. The main morphological abnormality found is large platelets or giant platelets. These are often found in the presence of a high platelet count (thrombocythaemia and the myelo-proliferative disorders) |
Dr Kelps Book Blog
 
Target Cells
Normal red cells
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This intel was contributed by drkelp
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May, 2012
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