HaematologyTier 2Topic

Full blood count and blood film

FBE screens, the film diagnoses

The FBE is a screening test; the film is the diagnostic test. An automated analyser counts and sizes cells - it does not look at them
*Ask for a film explicitly whenever the diagnosis depends on morphology* - suspected haemolysis, leukaemia, myelodysplasia, TMA, malaria, unexplained cytopenia

Core FBE parameters

Reference intervals

Reading an anaemia - MCV first, then reticulocytes

Spurious results - always consider before acting

Initial investigation of anaemia

Red cell morphology - what each finding means

White cell morphology

Platelet morphology

Infections visible on the film

When the FBE demands action today

When to request a marrow examination

Practical

Film findings by condition

Trajectory and response times

Traps

15 more sections, plus exam facts

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