Uses of Blood Cell Counters

Automated blood cell counters are a relatively new development. In the past, blood cells were counted visually/manually under a microscope. This process was not very accurate, and the immature cell count and maturation estimates were biased (it is difficult to determine the age of cells with the naked eye).



New products, developed to automatically count red blood cells, reduced the inaccuracies. However, some of these products are still not completely accurate in their measurement of immature blood cells or maturity estimates.



A complete blood count, also known as CBC, reveals the concentration of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, among other blood components. Automated blood counters can obtain a complete blood count in less than a minute.

Radiation Dose Assessment

• Blood cell counters are especially useful in determining the early effects of radiation treatments. Changes in the white blood cells help doctors assess progress and determine the response, whether good or bad, to the radiation treatments.

  Blood cell counters are used to provide quick, accurate readings of the levels of lymphocytes, which are white blood cells found in the immune system. Lymphocytes are responsible for immune system responses. It is very important to understand how the immune system is responding during early radiation treatments for an evaluation of their effectiveness.

Bone Marrow Activity Estimates

• Blood cell counters provide an assessment of red blood cell activity.

  Blood cell counters provide a count and an assessment of red blood cell activity. The results are used to determine bone marrow activity and functionality. A low red blood cell count may indicate that the bone marrow is not functioning as it should after chemotherapy treatments; and the activity and levels of red blood cells may also indicate bone marrow diseases such as bone marrow failure. These counters can detect myeloproliferative disorders (MPD) and cancers such as leukemia.

Bleeding Disorder Determination

• Bleeding disorders, such as prolonged bleeding and other conditions such as anemia, are detected by using a blood cell counter. These counters detect the levels of platelets. Low platelet levels can cause hemorrhaging, bleeding from the nose and gums or at the back of the eye or, at dangerously low levels, bleeding in the brain or gut. Bleeding in the gut can be extremely dangerous because it can severely damage the internal organs; bleeding at the back of the eye can cause blindness.

  Blood cell counters detect low hemoglobin levels, an indicator of anemia. Low hemoglobin can also indicate a nutritional deficiency, bone marrow problems, kidney failure and sickle cell anemia.