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What Causes Rouleaux Of Red Blood Cells After Drawing Blood?
Question: I had a CBC blood test, but the blood sat for many hours and the red blood cells congealed, the nurse that told me this had a medical term for that situation, and she said that probably the results would be inaccurate. Is this true?
Brief Answer:
Yes, it can be inaccurate.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,welcome to HealthcareMagic.
I am Dr Aslam here to help you.
For accurate results, blood taken for investigations should be properly stored with correct preservative (different for testing different parameters).
If blood is left as such for sometime, morphology of the blood cells get altered, and values like total count, differential count, ESR etc will be altered. But serological studies like blood urea, serum creatinine, electrolytes etc will not change much, as these are not dependent on cell morphology.
If your blood was properly stored with preservatives, and used with in the stipulated time period, you need not worry. Else,it is better to repeat the test.
The medical term you mentioned, probably is "rouleaux" formation( stacking of red cells one over the other)
Hope I have cleared your query. If you have further questions, I will be happy to help. Thank you.
Yes, it can be inaccurate.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,welcome to HealthcareMagic.
I am Dr Aslam here to help you.
For accurate results, blood taken for investigations should be properly stored with correct preservative (different for testing different parameters).
If blood is left as such for sometime, morphology of the blood cells get altered, and values like total count, differential count, ESR etc will be altered. But serological studies like blood urea, serum creatinine, electrolytes etc will not change much, as these are not dependent on cell morphology.
If your blood was properly stored with preservatives, and used with in the stipulated time period, you need not worry. Else,it is better to repeat the test.
The medical term you mentioned, probably is "rouleaux" formation( stacking of red cells one over the other)
Hope I have cleared your query. If you have further questions, I will be happy to help. Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Could this situation result in a higher white cell count?
Brief Answer:
it affects differential count more
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
It can cause either low (much more likely)/high value. It all depends on error in interpretation by the automated counter. The machines detects a particular cell type depending on the size and morphology of the cells. As the blood is stored, some cells are destroyed (decreases count) and some are altered in morphology (cause error in differentiation between cell types). So it is the differential count that is affected more than total count.
If you do not have further clarifications,you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Thank you
it affects differential count more
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
It can cause either low (much more likely)/high value. It all depends on error in interpretation by the automated counter. The machines detects a particular cell type depending on the size and morphology of the cells. As the blood is stored, some cells are destroyed (decreases count) and some are altered in morphology (cause error in differentiation between cell types). So it is the differential count that is affected more than total count.
If you do not have further clarifications,you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
I'm concerned that the old blood sample was not mine, wouldn't I have symptoms if my white cells number was 398,000 ? The nurse I spoke with was surprised I wasn't having symptoms, which led her to believe the sample wasn't mine.
Brief Answer:
You must do a repeat test
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
Whatever be the situation,such a high count (I guess the unit is 398000/ml) is to be taken as significant,and should never be discarded as wrong sample.You kindly do a repeat test with adequate care to avoid any confusion like we had this time.
If repeat test also shows such result,we need further evaluation including aperipheral blood smear,ESR,etc.Your family doctor/treating doctor will guide you in this.
I wish you everything to be fine,
If you have no further query,you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Thank you so much.
You must do a repeat test
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
Whatever be the situation,such a high count (I guess the unit is 398000/ml) is to be taken as significant,and should never be discarded as wrong sample.You kindly do a repeat test with adequate care to avoid any confusion like we had this time.
If repeat test also shows such result,we need further evaluation including aperipheral blood smear,ESR,etc.Your family doctor/treating doctor will guide you in this.
I wish you everything to be fine,
If you have no further query,you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Thank you so much.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
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