Peripheral Smear Test (PS)

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. 

What do peripheral smear test results mean?

Peripheral smear results describe the appearance of your blood cells under a microscope. Unusual changes may help doctors investigate conditions such as anaemia, infections, sickle cell disease, or certain blood disorders. Your doctor will interpret the findings along with your symptoms and other test results to determine whether further evaluation is needed.

Why consider Peripheral Smear Test (PS) in Thiruvananthapuram?

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

Who should get Peripheral Smear Test (PS) Done in Thiruvananthapuram?

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.

More about Peripheral Smear Test (PS) :

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.