Variations of red blood cell shape on blood film, overall termed poikilocytosis.<unk>  examination is usually performed in conjunction with a complete blood count in order to investigate abnormal results or confirm results that the automated analyzer has flagged as unreliable. Microscopic examination of the shape, size, and coloration of red blood cells is useful for determining the cause of anemia. Disorders such as iron deficiency anemia, sickle cell anemia, megaloblastic anemia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia result in characteristic abnormalities on the blood film. The proportions of different types of white blood cells can be determined from the<unk> . This is known as a manual white blood cell differential. The white blood cell differential can reveal abnormalities in the proportions of white blood cell types, such as neutrophilia and eosinophilia, as well as the presence of abnormal cells such as the circulating blast cells seen in acute leukemia. Qualitative abnormalities of white blood cells, like toxic granulation, are also visible on the<unk> . Modern complete blood count analyzers can provide an automated white blood cell differential, but they have a limited ability to differentiate immature and abnormal cells, so manual examination of the<unk>  is frequently indicated.<unk>  examination is the preferred diagnostic method for certain parasitic infections, such as malaria and babesiosis. Rarely, bacteria may be visible on the<unk>  in patients with severe sepsis.
Blood smear
Iron tests
Hematology analyzer
Bone marrow examination
Red blood cell indices
Complete blood count
Blood compatibility testing
Liver function tests