Routine Haematology

Thrombophilia Screening

Written by Mark Hill on 22 August 2012.

Indications for Thrombophilia Screening:

All requests for Thrombophilia Screening must be approved by a Haematology Consultant. This approval is based on NICE clinical guiedeline (NG158). Samples from patients with insufficient clinical details will be stored untested for one month. In this situation please contact a Consultant Haematologist for advice.

Samples for any coagulation tests must be filled to a minimum of 90% of the fill line indicated on the sample tube. Any sample filled below this level will be reported as insufficient and a repeat sample will be required.

Created on 22 August 2012.
Last updated on 16 November 2021.

Haemoglobin Values

Written by Mark Hill on 05 March 2013.

Please note: Hb and MCHC results are now reported in g/L instead of g/dL in line with national guidelines. This means a Hb previously reported as 12.5 g/dL will be reported as 125 g/L

blood sciences, haematology

Created on 05 March 2013.
Last updated on 06 November 2015.

Full blood count (FBC)

Written by Craig Webster on 17 September 2012.

Full Blood Count

A full blood count consists of haemoglobin, total white cell and differential counts, platelets and full red cell indices. All of these values are provided using a single EDTA sample. Please note that if venepuncture is difficult and mixing with anticoagulant delayed, micro-clot formation may cause a falsely low platelet count. If the full blood count results are abnormal or there is a specific indication on the request form, a blood film will be stained and examined microscopically.