Differential Results

[Floydpup]

Good day to all. I had a blood draw today from my PCP for my upcoming annual physical scheduled for the first week in February. At the bottom of the Differential page written in RED preceded by a circled exclamation point it states "SMUDGE CELLS. Value PRESENT. Anybody have experience with this? Any input greatly appreciated.

FP

[Shepherd777]

CLL cells tend to be more fragile than normal cells. So they may be smudged due to age, the technician dropping or tossing the tube unto a nearby table or damaged in the process of aligning the glass slide under the microscope. Sometimes a report will say smudge cells few, mild or many. Not sure what it means when just an exclamation point. CLL patients have all seen a smudge cell note from time to time, generally they do not even mention them unless they are numerous enough to say few, mild or many. Others on this site can give you more detail about smudge cells.

[Floydpup in reply to Shepherd777]

Thank you for your explanation S777. Very helpful.FP

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Hi Floydpup,

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IMO  Shepherd777 is right on target.

AussieNeil posted a good explanation: healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

"CLL cells are also fragile, which is why smudge cells (cells with broken membranes) are commonly reported) in blood test reports."

Here is a link to all the previous postings that discussed smudge cells: healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

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Len

[Floydpup in reply to lankisterguy]

Thank you Len for the links.FP