CBC
This red blood cell index is calculated using the formula:
(Hematocrit × 10) ÷ RBC count.
MCV
These small, round, deeply basophilic granules are composed of ribosomal RNA and are commonly seen in lead poisoning and thalassemia.
Basophilic Stippling
This microcytic anemia is characterized by low serum iron, low ferritin, and high TIBC, and often presents with an increased RDW.
Iron Deficiency Anemia
This type of anemia is caused by impaired DNA synthesis and is characterized by macro-ovalocytes and hypersegmented neutrophils on the peripheral smear.
Megaloblastic Anemia or B-12 Folate deficiency
This leukemia commonly presents with pancytopenia, >20% myeloblasts, and Auer rods, and requires bone marrow evaluation for diagnosis.
Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
This value reflects the variation in red blood cell size and is often increased in conditions like iron deficiency anemia.
RDW
These inclusions are remnants of the nuclear membrane, usually single and round, require a Wright stain, and are associated with hemolytic anemia and megaloblastic anemia.
Howell Jolly Bodies
This anemia shows normal or increased ferritin, low serum iron, and low TIBC due to hepcidin-mediated iron sequestration usually due to infection.
Anemia of Chronic Disease
In this condition, patients may have an elevated MCV due to the presence of increased reticulocytes, which are larger than mature red cells.
Hemolytic Anemia
This leukemia presents with extremely elevated WBC counts, a left shift, and the Philadelphia chromosome created by the BCR-ABL fusion.
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
An MCHC higher than 36 g/dL is most commonly associated with this abnormal red blood cell morphology.
Spherocytosis
These inclusions appear as threadlike or rod-shaped crystals of precipitated hemoglobin seen in conditions such as HbSC disease.
Hgb C Crystals
A peripheral smear showing ringed sideroblasts in the bone marrow, dimorphic red cell population, and high serum iron is most indicative of this disorder.
Sideroblastic Anemia
This nutritional deficiency can cause elevated MCV and neurologic symptoms such as paresthesia and impaired proprioception.
B-12 deficiency
This leukemia is most common in young children and is characterized by lymphoblasts that are TdT-positive upon staining.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Using the following values, calculate the MCH:
Hgb = 14 g/dL, RBC = 5.0 × 10⁶/µL.
Formula: (Hgb × 10) ÷ RBC.
28 pg
These inclusions are denatured hemoglobin that require a supravital stain (e.g., brilliant cresyl blue) to visualize and are seen in G6PD deficiency.
Heinz Bodies
This microcytic anemia typically shows a normal or slightly increased RBC count, markedly decreased MCV, and target cells, with normal iron studies.
Thalassemia Minor
This liver-associated condition can cause a macrocytic picture due to altered lipid deposition in the red cell membrane.
Liver Disease
This chronic leukemia is marked by smudge cells, mature lymphocytosis, and often detected incidentally on routine CBCs.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
This part of the CBC provides an estimate of marrow activity by indicating the number of young RBCs circulating in the blood.
Reticulocyte Count
These inclusions appear as fine, pale blue granules that reflect iron deposits, visible with a Prussian blue stain, helping diagnose sideroblastic anemia.
Pappenheimer Bodies
This microcytic anemia shows increased serum ferritin, increased serum iron, and increased transferrin saturation, often due to defective heme synthesis within the mitochondria.
Sideroblastic Anemia
This chronic substance can cause a non-megaloblastic macrocytosis, even without anemia, due to its direct toxic effects on the bone marrow.
Alcoholism
This acute leukemia subtype may show myeloperoxidase-positive blasts and presents with symptoms such as anemia, infections, and bleeding due to marrow failure.
Acute Myelogenous Leukemia