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PrintTest Details
Turnaround Time
Within 1 day
Use
Evaluate anemia and loss of red cells and suspected polycythemic condition
Limitations
Presence of cold agglutinins may result in falsely low RBC counts.
Methodology
Automated cell counter
Additional Information
Decrease in RBC count may be the result of red cell loss by bleeding or hemolysis (intravascular or extravascular), failure of marrow production (due to a broad variety of causes), or may be secondary to dilutional factors (eg, intravenous fluids). Increase in RBC count may be the result of primary polycythemia (polycythemia vera) or secondary polycythemia (hypoxemia of lung or cardiovascular disease, increased erythropoietin production associated with renal cyst, renal cell carcinoma, cerebellar hemangioblastoma, or high O2 affinity hemoglobinopathy) including stress polycythemia (hemoconcentration associated with exercise, exertion, fright, etc).
Specimen Requirements
Information on collection, storage, and volume
Specimen
Whole blood
Volume
Tube fill capacity
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL (500 μL for pediatric microtainer capillary tubes; fill tube to capacity.) (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)
Container
Lavender-top (EDTA) tube
Storage Instructions
Maintain specimen at room temperature.
Causes for Rejection
Hemolysis; clotted specimen; tube not filled with minimum volume; improper labeling; transport tubes with whole blood; specimen drawn in any anticoagulant other than EDTA; specimen diluted or contaminated with IV fluid; specimen received with plasma removed
Collection
Invert tube immediately 8 to 10 times once tube is filled at time of collection.