Blood Health
CBC Morphology
What This Marker Tells Us
A descriptive report of red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelet appearance under microscopy, identifying abnormalities in cell size, shape, and characteristics that reveal underlying conditions.
Why It Matters
Automated CBC analyzers provide numbers but miss important visual clues. A trained technologist or pathologist examines the blood smear, describing cell morphology that reveals specific diseases. RBC morphology identifies anemia types (microcytic, macrocytic), hemolysis (schistocytes, spherocytes), or abnormal hemoglobins (target cells, sickle cells). WBC morphology identifies immature cells (bands, blasts), toxic granulation suggesting infection, or abnormal cells indicating leukemia. Platelet morphology reveals size abnormalities, clumping, or rare inherited disorders. Common morphology findings include hypochromic microcytic RBCs (iron deficiency), macrocytic RBCs (B12/folate deficiency), schistocytes (hemolysis), target cells (liver disease, thalassemia), spherocytes (hereditary spherocytosis, autoimmune hemolysis), and toxic granulation in neutrophils (severe infection).
How to Interpret Your Trends
Normal morphology: "RBCs normal in size and shape, WBCs appear normal, platelets adequate." Abnormal findings are specifically described and guide diagnosis. Microcytic hypochromic RBCs suggest iron deficiency. Macrocytic RBCs suggest B12/folate deficiency. Schistocytes (fragmented RBCs) indicate hemolysis. Spherocytes suggest hereditary spherocytosis or autoimmune hemolysis. Target cells occur with liver disease or thalassemia. Toxic granulation, Döhle bodies, or cytoplasmic vacuoles in neutrophils indicate severe bacterial infection. Immature WBCs (bands, blasts) indicate infection severity or blood disorders. Large platelets suggest increased turnover.
What Influences This Marker
RBC morphology changes reflect underlying anemia causes, hemoglobinopathies, or hemolytic conditions. WBC morphology changes reflect infection severity, toxic exposures, or hematologic malignancies. Platelet morphology changes suggest turnover disorders, inherited conditions, or myeloproliferative disorders. Morphology provides specific diagnostic clues complementing numerical CBC values.
How Your Team Uses It
Your coach uses morphology findings to understand underlying causes of CBC abnormalities. Microcytic hypochromic morphology reinforces iron-focused nutrition strategies. Macrocytic morphology supports B12/folate optimization. Toxic granulation indicates infection severity requiring medical treatment and rest. Morphology provides context for numerical abnormalities.
Related Signals We Also Review
Complete blood count, ferritin, B12, folate, reticulocyte count, hemolysis markers (LDH, bilirubin), and hemoglobin electrophoresis when morphology suggests specific disorders.