Complete blood count

What is peripheral blood morphology?

Blood morphology is a laboratory test that includes determining the number of blood morphological elements (erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets), measuring their size and assessing their structural features (MCV, MCH, MCHC), as well as counting and determining the percentage of different types of white blood cells.

How does the test proceed?

The test involves drawing blood from a vein, which is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. The blood test can be performed within 3 months from the date indicated in the order confirmation.

To undergo the test, report to the facility selected when placing your order during the Blood Collection Point’s working hours.

When is it worth performing a blood morphology test?

Symptoms that may suggest the need for a blood morphology test include, among others:

• chronic weakness, somnolence and fatigue;
• rapid weight loss;
• recurrent and more frequent infections;
• bone pain;
• easy bruising;
• slow-healing wounds;
• headaches and dizziness;
• shortness of breath;
• deterioration of skin condition (e.g., pallor, jaundice);
• sleep disturbances;
• feelings of anxiety or irritability;
• swelling (e.g., of legs or hands);
• frequent nosebleeds;
• vision disturbances;
• excessive sweating.

What is the purpose of performing a blood morphology test?

Blood morphology helps detect many diseases and pathological conditions, including:

• anemia and determining its type;
• thrombocytopenia (a decrease in platelet count);
• thrombocytosis (excess platelets);
• thrombocytopathy;
• viral or bacterial infections;
• inflammatory conditions;
• autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis;
• blood cancers, such as leukemia or lymphoma;
• clotting disorders;
• metabolic diseases.

How to prepare for a blood morphology test?

• Consumption of alcohol is prohibited for 2–3 days before the blood draw.
• Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages and tea for at least 12 hours before the test.
• Avoid stress as much as possible.

On the day of the test:

• The patient should be fasting – meaning no food intake for up to 12 hours before the blood draw.
• In the morning, you may drink water, up to one glass. If possible, the blood should be drawn before taking your morning dose of medication, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
• Before the test, the patient should rest for 10–15 minutes (in a sitting position).
• Physical exertion, even moderate, may affect the test results.

Blood morphology – reference values

Reference values for individual parameters may vary slightly depending on the laboratory, analytical methods, and reagents used for the analysis. Moreover, normal ranges for blood morphology can differ based on age, sex, race, or even the time of day the blood was drawn. Therefore, when interpreting blood test results, it is important to consider not only the numerical values but also the clinical context, patient symptoms, and other diagnostic tests.

Factors that may affect test results

• dehydration,
• recent blood loss,
• infections,
• use of medications,
• physical exertion.

What to do in case of abnormal results?

In case of abnormal results, it is recommended to consult a doctor for a detailed discussion and interpretation.

To check how to access your test results >> click HERE

What do individual blood morphology parameters mean?

• RBC – red blood cell count (erythrocytes).
• Hgb, Hb – hemoglobin, measures the concentration of the protein responsible for oxygen transport.
• HCT – hematocrit, indicates the percentage of red blood cells in the total blood volume.
• MCV – mean corpuscular volume, the average volume of a red blood cell.
• MCH – mean corpuscular hemoglobin, the average amount of hemoglobin per red blood cell.
• MCHC – mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, the average concentration of hemoglobin in red blood cells.
• RDW – red cell distribution width, expressed as a percentage, shows how much the size of red blood cells varies from the average.
• WBC – white blood cell count.
• PLT – platelet count, indicates the number of thrombocytes, which are essential for the blood clotting process.
• MPV – mean platelet volume.
• PDW – platelet distribution width, indicates variation in platelet size.
• P-LCR – percentage of large platelets in the total platelet count.

Who should you consult about abnormal results?

• Hematologist
• Internist