This article discusses how a flow cytometry test works and when it is used.
What Flow Cytometry Is Used For
Flow cytometry is used in many areas of clinical testing.
Then a fluorescent dye is attached to the antibody.
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Flow cytometry can find all the cells that the antibody targets.
This helps to determine how healthy their immune system is and to track any damage sparked by the virus.
This is generally done on a blood sample.
This can help to determine the cause ofanemia.
This is generally done on a blood sample using flow cytometry analysis.
Sperm Counts
Flow cytometry is used to check the number of sperm in a semen sample.
This may be done either as part of aninfertility workupor to see if avasectomyhas been successful.
Blood-Related Cancers
Flow cytometry results can be used to diagnose and classifyleukemia or lymphoma.
This may require a blood sample, bone marrow, or a different bang out of tissue sample.
The specific flow cytometry test and key in of sample will depend on the information a healthcare provider needs.
The same thing is true for any other tests ordered, such ashistochemistrywhen diagnosing certain types of cancer.
The test allows healthcare providers to look at specific cells one at a time.
This is accomplished by processing cells through a common flow cytometry protocol.
The flow cytometry results are then used to diagnose or monitor a specific health condition.
While these tests are useful in a variety of situations, they have limitations.
This can lead to a false negative or false-positive test result for certain types of cancer.
With semen analysis, recent sexual activity can make the test inaccurate.
Platelet function test results can be affected when taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
How Accurate Is Flow Cytometry?
A blood sample or semen sample presents comparatively low risk when collected.
In contrast, abone marrow sampleor tissue sample is more difficult, and carries some additional risks.
These tests are still considered to be quite safe.
Talk to your healthcare provider, however, about your specific situation.
In others, you may need to return after stopping certain activities or medications that you take.
In all cases, it will depend on the jot down of sample.
Getting a sample from the liver is very different from getting a sample from a lymph node.
A hospital gown will be provided.
Check with your healthcare provider for recommendations.
Is Flow Cytometry Expensive?
Flow cytometry can be expensive and some insurers require prior authorization before these tests are done.
Check with your insurance company and provider about any requirements.
Remember to bring your health insurance card and photo identification to your appointment too.
The healthcare team members will play different roles during your appointment.
For example, a technician takes the blood sample during a fairly simple procedure.
For a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, you may see a healthcare team that includes other specialists.
Imaging may be used to guide the process.
You will then be asked to lie still for 10 to 15 minutes.
Your healthcare provider will offer specific instructions to follow after the test.
Check with your healthcare provider about what pain medications would be best.
Interpreting Results
A flow cytometry analysis can take up to several weeks to come back.
This will depend on the specific types of cells under investigation, as well as what lab is used.
Flow cytometry is a very technical test, and many labs may have only limited ability to process samples.
There are several common types of flow cytometry test results.
Reticulocyte count
This test evaluates bone marrow function and red blood cell production.
It is usually interpreted in combination with other test results, such as red blood cell count and/orhematocrit.
The results of this test should not be interpreted on its own.
Both low and high values can be fine, or problematic, depending on the circumstances.
CD4 counts
The flow cytometry analysis gives the number of CD4 cells in a cubic millimeter of blood.
A normal CD4 count is between 500 and 1500.
If your CD4 count is below 500, it means that your immune system may be suppressed.
Causes may include HIV or drugs used to suppress your immune system.
For people with HIV, CD4 counts can vary with time even without your health changing.
For people on immunosuppression drugs after an organ transplant, a low CD4 count means those drugs are working.
If flow cytometry is used for diagnosis, it will only be done once.
A Word From Verywell
Talk to your healthcare provider about what to expect.
It’s possible that flow cytometry may be just the first step in understanding your health condition.
Yale School of Medicine.Yale flow cytometry.
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