Hi @darceejensen, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. While members in the forum aren’t medical professionals we can use our experiences to help each other find answers. Only your medical team can interpret your blood results.
However, I can give you a quick rundown on what Smudge cells are and the meaning of MPV in your CBC.
Smudge cells are blood cells that were destroyed during the collection or preparing of the blood smear, creating a smudge look on the glass slide. They’re remnants of cells that lack any identifiable cytoplasmic membrane or nuclear structure. They are indicative of weakened cells as normal cells have stronger, defined membranes. It can be a result of a viral infection but sometimes it needs further evaluation to make sure there is no other cause.
You also mentioned MPV, which is the abbreviation for Mean Platelet Value. What this means is that some of your platelets are larger than average. Having a high or low MPV doesn’t mean anything on its own. It should be interpreted within the context of other CBC results, such as platelet count.
I’m expecting that these were results you’ve seen on your patient portal but you haven’t spoken with your doctor or NP yet. While the patient portal is a wonderful tool, seeing results without an explanation can cause unnecessary anxiety sometimes. Don’t ever hesitate to call or message your doctor to get clarification on tests.
Were you having any symptoms that prompted a visit to your doctor or was this just a routine CBC?
I was having some symptoms that prompted the visit - random fevers, 2-3 times a month of night sweats, swollen lymph nodes (these have gone away), pain in fingers and toes, and overall fatigue. @loribmt
I was having some symptoms that prompted the visit - random fevers, 2-3 times a month of night sweats, swollen lymph nodes (these have gone away), pain in fingers and toes, and overall fatigue. @loribmt
Since your symptoms prompted the CBC make sure you follow up with your doctor for a explanation of your blood results. Sometimes when there are little anomalies popping up in the blood, doctors will order a few more tests just do a double check.
If you don’t mind, let me know what you find out, ok? ☺️
I was having some symptoms that prompted the visit - random fevers, 2-3 times a month of night sweats, swollen lymph nodes (these have gone away), pain in fingers and toes, and overall fatigue. @loribmt
Hi new here!
I was in the ER yesterday for a diverticulitis. On my bloodwork it showed smudge cells there was platelet clumping. The ER doctor recommended I follow up with my primary doctor for another panel of blood work after I am finished with my anabiotic’s. I’ve been in the hospital a few times for my condition. However, I’ve never had any abnormalities in my blood work. Can you advise if this is something that is seen quite often? I’ll be following up with my doctor in the upcoming weeks. In the meantime, just want to prepare myself for any and all information thank you!
Smudge cells are usually fragile leucocytes that show up on the slide as smudged because of their fragility. They can commonly be seen following viruses. Your ER doctor (wisely) wants you to repeat the blood panel to ascertain their origin. Your might want to look up LLC, since you,reasonably, would like to prepare yourself for any results. Look at the symptoms and compare them with your own. Try not to diagnose yourself, yet. After you have finished the antibiotic call your physician's office and request the bloodwork, so you 'll have it for the appointment.
Best wishes.
Hi new here!
I was in the ER yesterday for a diverticulitis. On my bloodwork it showed smudge cells there was platelet clumping. The ER doctor recommended I follow up with my primary doctor for another panel of blood work after I am finished with my anabiotic’s. I’ve been in the hospital a few times for my condition. However, I’ve never had any abnormalities in my blood work. Can you advise if this is something that is seen quite often? I’ll be following up with my doctor in the upcoming weeks. In the meantime, just want to prepare myself for any and all information thank you!
@tcarni111, I hope you saw the helpful post from @gently. I agree that following up with your primary doctor was a good recommendation on the part of the ER doctor. The smudge cells are likely a result of the inflammation caused by the flare of diverticulitis. Followup bloodwork will help determine if things returned to normal or if further investigation is necessary.
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Hi @darceejensen, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. While members in the forum aren’t medical professionals we can use our experiences to help each other find answers. Only your medical team can interpret your blood results.
However, I can give you a quick rundown on what Smudge cells are and the meaning of MPV in your CBC.
Smudge cells are blood cells that were destroyed during the collection or preparing of the blood smear, creating a smudge look on the glass slide. They’re remnants of cells that lack any identifiable cytoplasmic membrane or nuclear structure. They are indicative of weakened cells as normal cells have stronger, defined membranes. It can be a result of a viral infection but sometimes it needs further evaluation to make sure there is no other cause.
You also mentioned MPV, which is the abbreviation for Mean Platelet Value. What this means is that some of your platelets are larger than average. Having a high or low MPV doesn’t mean anything on its own. It should be interpreted within the context of other CBC results, such as platelet count.
I’m expecting that these were results you’ve seen on your patient portal but you haven’t spoken with your doctor or NP yet. While the patient portal is a wonderful tool, seeing results without an explanation can cause unnecessary anxiety sometimes. Don’t ever hesitate to call or message your doctor to get clarification on tests.
Were you having any symptoms that prompted a visit to your doctor or was this just a routine CBC?
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsI was having some symptoms that prompted the visit - random fevers, 2-3 times a month of night sweats, swollen lymph nodes (these have gone away), pain in fingers and toes, and overall fatigue. @loribmt
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionSince your symptoms prompted the CBC make sure you follow up with your doctor for a explanation of your blood results. Sometimes when there are little anomalies popping up in the blood, doctors will order a few more tests just do a double check.
If you don’t mind, let me know what you find out, ok? ☺️
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@darceejensen, have you discussed the blood test results with your doctor in the meantime? Any update?
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1 ReactionI have called his office several times with no luck, I am still waiting for a call back.
How frustrating. Was a followup appointment not scheduled when the tests were ordered?
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1 ReactionYes, I have a follow up appointment in January.
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1 ReactionHi new here!
I was in the ER yesterday for a diverticulitis. On my bloodwork it showed smudge cells there was platelet clumping. The ER doctor recommended I follow up with my primary doctor for another panel of blood work after I am finished with my anabiotic’s. I’ve been in the hospital a few times for my condition. However, I’ve never had any abnormalities in my blood work. Can you advise if this is something that is seen quite often? I’ll be following up with my doctor in the upcoming weeks. In the meantime, just want to prepare myself for any and all information thank you!
Smudge cells are usually fragile leucocytes that show up on the slide as smudged because of their fragility. They can commonly be seen following viruses. Your ER doctor (wisely) wants you to repeat the blood panel to ascertain their origin. Your might want to look up LLC, since you,reasonably, would like to prepare yourself for any results. Look at the symptoms and compare them with your own. Try not to diagnose yourself, yet. After you have finished the antibiotic call your physician's office and request the bloodwork, so you 'll have it for the appointment.
Best wishes.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@tcarni111, I hope you saw the helpful post from @gently. I agree that following up with your primary doctor was a good recommendation on the part of the ER doctor. The smudge cells are likely a result of the inflammation caused by the flare of diverticulitis. Followup bloodwork will help determine if things returned to normal or if further investigation is necessary.
How are you feeling?