Port Moresby Medical Laboratories (POMMEDLAB)

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Question 1. What is Full Blood Exam?

Blood is made up of 1. circulating cells and 2. Protein-rich fluid (plasma or serum). Circulating cells are made up of red cell, platelets and white cells. Red cells contain haemoglobin giving its distinctive red colour and delivers oxygen  from lungs and brings back waste product (carbon dioxide) away from tissue to be expelled via lungs.  White cells are further divided into neutrophils, lymphocytes, basophils and eosinophils and each play various roles in controlling infections and inflammatory processors. Platelets help control bleeding and repair of damaged tissue.

FBE testing involves examination of cellular component of blood including estimation of haemoglobin levels to diagnosis various illnesses in the body.

 

Question 2. What are the diseases diagnosed with FBE?

FBE is almost a must for any person who is very ill or suffers from unknown illness.  Blood examination helps doctors identify many diseases. List below are examples of some of the illnesses that can be diagnosed by a simple FBE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Question 3. How is the test done?

 

A small blood sample is collected into tube containing anti-coagulant. The anti-coagulant is important to prevents cells clumping or sticking together so that individual cells can be visualised separately and countered.  A drop of blood is smeared onto a glass slide and stained before examining under microscope. Each component of blood cells have different size, shapes and appearance when stained and so that individual cells can be countered and reported. The cell count is performed manually or on automated cell counter.  Haemoglobin is also estimated and reported. Blood indices calculated from Hb and red cell mass is also reported. 

 

Question 4. How is the test reported?

The FBE report will include haemoglobin estimation, red cell count, total white cell count, and individual white cell counts (called differentials). Blood indices calculated from HB and RBC are also included. These are  reported with normal reference values. Any high or low results are high-lighted on the report for easier viewing.

 

Question 5. Can I request individual cell count?

No. Only Hb can be measured alone. Interpretation of FBE report is only meaningful when all cells are measured and results interpreted together.

Question 6. I have an abnormal result, what should I do?

Blood testing is just one of the investigations used by your doctor to come to a concrete diagnosis of your problem. Your doctor uses combinations investigation results with your complaints (symptoms) and clinical findings on physical examination (signs) to make a specific diagnosis.  FBE report is complex for non professionals. You should see your doctor or trained professional to help discuss your results.

 

Question 7. My FBE tests are normal. Why am I still ill?

Normal FBE tests does not always mean you are healthy. Not all problems will be diagnosed by FBE alone. Even if your tests are abnormal, specific cause of your problem may not be clear until your doctor performs additional tests. For example, microcytosis as a sign of iron deficiency but may also indicate lead poisoning or Thalassaemia. To make a correct diagnosis in this case, your doctor may request iron level for confirmation of iron deficiency as a cause. Similarly signs, high eosinophils may indicate parasitic infection but correct diagnosis is only made with further examination of stool or poo sample that shows worms or cysts.

 

Question 8. Is there anything I do before the Test?

No. No fasting is necessary prior to testing. You can walk into our laboratory for FBE or see your doctor for referral.  

 

Full Blood Exam– FBE

Leukaemias/Cancer of white cell: -

very high mature or immature forms white cells, low platelets, etc

Bleeding Disorder/Thrombocytopenia:

Low platelets

Malaria:

Pigments/parasites in red cells

Bone marrow failure:

Low cellular components

Blood Poisoning

Low Hb

Abnormal shaped white cells

Fragmented red cells

Allergies:

Very high eosinophils

Lead Poisoning

Small red cells (microcytosis)

Bacterial Infections:

Very high neurtophils

Viral Infections:

Very high lymphocytes

Parasitic/Worm Infections:

Very high oesinophils

Inherited Haemoglobin Disorders

Sickle cells, spherocytes

Anaemias (low HB)

 Iron deficiency (small and discoloured red cells-microcytosis)

folate & vitamin B12 deficiency (large  red cells-macrocytosis)

Liver Disease/Alcohol Problem

 large red cells, abnormal red cells, anaemia

Blood clot Disorders

High platelets counts