The results of a blood smear alone usually can't diagnose a medical condition. Your provider will use your results combined with your medical history, symptoms, and other test results to make a diagnosis.
Your blood smear results usually describe the appearance and number of your red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Your results will describe anything unusual about your blood.
Red blood cell results that aren't normal, it may be a sign of:
- Anemia
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Sickle cell anemia
- Hemolytic anemia, a type of anemia in which the body destroys red blood cells faster than they are replaced
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Thalassemia
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Bone marrow disorders
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Liver disease
- Cancer that has spread to the bone
White blood cell results that aren't normal may be a sign of:
- Infection or inflammation
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Allergies
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Leukemia
- Bone marrow disorders
Platelet results that aren't normal may be a sign of:
- Thrombocytopenia, a condition in which your blood doesn't have enough platelets, which increases the risk of bleeding
- Inherited platelet disorders (uncommon), such as
Bernard-Soulier syndrome
If you have been very ill or stressed, or you have had a blood transfusion, the shape and number of your blood cells may be different than usual. So, a blood smear may not provide enough information for your provider to make a diagnosis. If any of your blood smear results are not normal, your provider will likely order more tests. Talk with your provider to learn more about your results.
Learn more about
laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results .