Question 1

is it possible to have normal cbc and abnormal blood smear?

Accepted Answer

No: A blood smear is ordered when the CBC is abnormal .A blood smear helps diagnose a range of deficiencies, disease involving blood cell production, function and destruction ; it is also used to monitor cell production/ maturity in diseases eg leukemia, during chemo/radiation therapy and evaluation of different type of hemoglobins.

Question 2

is it true that a blood smear can provide more accuracy then a cbc?

Accepted Answer

Yes: A blood smear can provide more accurate results than a CBC but a CBC is always done first

Question 3

cbc performed-everything normal except low wbc. blood smear- normal. told to come bck in 2mths & redraw. should i be worried? wht could cause this?

Accepted Answer

Probably normal: If you are not at risk for hiv, then you may represent the low end of the bell curve that makes up the "normal" range for wbc. Some people have immune function issues with chronically low counts, others just "rest at low idle" and still ramp up when fighting an infection. See what follow up test shows.

Question 4

my recent blood smear showed slight "polychromasia"; cbc is normal except: low granulocytes & high lymphocytes. (last 2 years showed: poikilocytosis & mild neutropenia). not anemic. possible causes of this polychromasia? should this be checked into?

Accepted Answer

Any symptoms?: Why was the test done? All laboratory results need to be interpreted in the clinical context and the doctor who ordered the tests is usually in the best position to do that. Talk to the doctor who ordered the tests. Having said that, nothing in the information you provided warrants any concern.
Wish you good health! - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Drink enough water daily, so that your urine is mostly colorless. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. 
Practice safe sex, if you have sex.

Question 5

could a cut on my foot raise my platelets? count of 700, wbc 13, no other symptoms. found on routine cbc. blood smear clean.

Accepted Answer

Not the cut: Follow it. If you are iron deficient, find the cause and get treated. You may have a check to see if a particular mutation is driving it. This is serious but probably not catastrophic.

Question 6

night sweats with no other symptoms at all, normal cbc,esr,peripheral blood smear. lymph nodes under 5mm in short axis in neck. any ideas?

Accepted Answer

Night sweats: Two things to consider since all labs are normal:
1: Shower before going to bed.
2: Go to bed with lightweight PJs.

If you have been doing something like this for a while without change, a consult to a "Sleep" study would be in order

Question 7

my daughter has a swollen gorin lymph node and a swollen ankle. dr. has done a blood smear/cbc/ultrasound and x-ray. all came back good. still worried?

Accepted Answer

It happens: Both may reflect a bug bite on the affected ankle that has sent bite debris up the leg to the lymph node for cleansing.It could also be an early infection, but that would be reflected in the degree of symptoms &amp; labwork.As long as you &amp; the doc monitor the situation you are doing all you need at this point.

Question 8

35 yo female. spleen 13cm. normal cbc. total bili 1.5 direct 0.2. a1c 4.3. blood smear showed mild spherocytosis. (paternal uncle=hered. spherocytosis). would hs cause enlarged spleen without anemia?

Accepted Answer

: I would consider this spleen size borderline. A normal spleen cannot be palpated by a physical examination of the left upper abdomen. If your spleen cannot be felt by your physician it is probably within normal limits in size. Spherocyte red cells do get trapped in the spleen and can cause enlargement

Question 9

feel small &hard nodes in groin low grade pain.lymph nodes in neck under 5mm in short axis.normal cbc,esr,blood smear,no symptoms except night sweats.

Accepted Answer

Symptoms: No symptoms is fine except for night sweats You need to find out why.

Far more important is a visit to your doctor about your nodes. Do not put it off. may be nothing to worry about but it could also require further evaluation.

Hope all goes well.

Question 10

what does a left shift mean on a cbc blood test?

Accepted Answer

Usually infection: Left shift means slightly pre-mature leukocytes in circulation which is usually due to infection.

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Doctor answers about:

Left shift blood smear and notmal cbc

A member asked:

Is it possible to have normal cbc and abnormal blood smear?

A member asked:

Is it true that a blood smear can provide more accuracy then a cbc?

A member asked:

Cbc performed-everything normal except low wbc. blood smear- normal. told to come bck in 2mths & redraw. should i be worried? wht could cause this?

A member asked:

My recent blood smear showed slight "polychromasia"; cbc is normal except: low granulocytes & high lymphocytes. (last 2 years showed: poikilocytosis & mild neutropenia). not anemic. possible causes of this polychromasia? should this be checked into?

A member asked:

Could a cut on my foot raise my platelets? count of 700, wbc 13, no other symptoms. found on routine cbc. blood smear clean.

A member asked:

Night sweats with no other symptoms at all, normal cbc,esr,peripheral blood smear. lymph nodes under 5mm in short axis in neck. any ideas?

A member asked:

My daughter has a swollen gorin lymph node and a swollen ankle. dr. has done a blood smear/cbc/ultrasound and x-ray. all came back good. still worried?

A member asked:

35 yo female. spleen 13cm. normal cbc. total bili 1.5 direct 0.2. a1c 4.3. blood smear showed mild spherocytosis. (paternal uncle=hered. spherocytosis). would hs cause enlarged spleen without anemia?

A member asked:

Feel small &hard nodes in groin low grade pain.lymph nodes in neck under 5mm in short axis.normal cbc,esr,blood smear,no symptoms except night sweats.

A member asked:

What does a left shift mean on a cbc blood test?

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