What are teardrop cells?

[Horatio2]

Good morning! I had my 3-month blood work completed yesterday, and the results said something that I have never seen before. The report indicated that "tear drop cells" were seen. I'm not sure what that means, and I don't really want to ask Dr. Google as I know it will probably send me into a panic. I have the question posed to my doctor and am awaiting a response, but I also thought I would come here to ask and hopefully receive some calming responses so I don't drive myself insane until her reply comes in.

[SofiaDeo]

They are seen in conditions where bone marrow is infiltrated. Since CLL affects marrow, this is not unexpected. Certain anemias can cause these cells.

brown.edu/academics/biomed/...

imagebank.hematology.org/im...

Looking things up in Google isn't necessarily "bad", it's just certain sites that aren't medical fact based ones should be avoided. Here I used the American Society of Hematology, and Brown University's Pathology department.

[Horatio2 in reply to SofiaDeo]

Thank you!!!!!! I hate that I can get myself so worried!!! You have no idea how much I appreciate this response!

[Smakwater]

Horatio2,

In a sense, our forum is a form of Dr. Google. All information and conversation should be measured for credibility by us individually. Please follow up on any opinions, articles, or offerings from personal experiences through the observation and citing of credible medical publications. Commendations to SofiaDeo on providing a fine example.

Quite often we have very good information to share, yet, we all have a responsibility to ourselves and each other to prove credibility and accuracy. In addition, we do not want to be so judicial as to freeze conversation.

Lastly, we also should bear with on another in this pursuit knowing that no matter how evident a truth may come, we are all subject to perspective.

You post a great question. I am eager to read the responses.

JM