Basophilic Stippling Test on a Peripheral Blood Smear
A laboratory test that uses an optical microscope to check red blood cells on a blood smear for basophilic stippling, helping doctors diagnose and monitor certain blood disorders and toxic exposures.
{嗜碱性点彩是红细胞中出现的蓝色点状颗粒,主要见于铅中毒、地中海贫血等疾病,通过常规血涂片检查即可完成,结果阳性通常需要进一步检查明确病因}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 703-9
- Short code
- BASOSTIP
- Synonyms
- Baso Stipl Bld Ql Smear
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- whole-blood
- Container
- EDTA (lavender/purple-top) vacuum collection tube; whole blood collected by standard venipuncture or capillary (fingerstick/microtainer for pediatric specimens)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- microscopy-light
- CPT
- 85007
- SNOMED
- 441394009
- Specimen volume
- Minimum 1 mL whole blood for adult venipuncture; 250-500 microliters acceptable for pediatric microcapillary collection
- Stability
- Specimen stable for 2-3 hours at room temperature (20-25°C) for optimal smear preparation; up to 24 hours if stored at 4°C; prolonged storage may cause RBC artifacts
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 1–4 hours
- Order
- routine
What Is This Test? The basophilic stippling test is a laboratory examination of a small blood sample that helps doctors look for specific abnormal changes inside your red blood cells.
The basophilic stippling test is a method of examining a blood smear under an optical microscope. A laboratory professional spreads a thin layer of your blood on a glass slide, treats it with a special stain, and then views it under the microscope to look for basophilic (blue) dot-like granules inside the red blood cells. These granules are actually clumps of ribosomes, the structures inside cells that are involved in building proteins. In healthy red blood cells, they should not be present.
Why Might I Need This Test? Doctors may order this examination when they want to find out whether changes in your red blood cells point to lead exposure, an inherited blood condition, or another problem affecting how your blood cells are made.
Your doctor may order this test to help diagnose or monitor several conditions: lead poisoning, especially in people exposed at work; thalassemia and other hemoglobin disorders; myelodysplastic syndrome; certain types of hemolytic anemia; and the effects of certain medications on the blood-forming system. If you feel unusually tired, have symptoms of anemia, or know you have been exposed to a substance that can affect blood cell production, your doctor may recommend this test.
What Do the Results Mean? Your report will usually state whether basophilic stippling is present or absent, and your doctor will interpret that finding together with your symptoms, your medical history, and your other test results.
Results are usually reported as present or absent. If your report says that basophilic stippling is present, it means this abnormal structure was seen in your blood smear. This finding can point to one of the conditions mentioned above, and your doctor will need to consider it alongside your symptoms, other test results, and your medical history before drawing any conclusions. Please keep in mind that the presence of basophilic stippling is not a specific diagnostic marker. A positive result simply indicates that further testing is needed to identify the exact cause.
Reference range
Negative (basophilic stippling not observed) or within normal limits; rare coarse basophilic stippling may be noted in normal individuals without clinical significanceN/A
No special patient preparation required. Standard phlebotomy procedures apply.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
嗜碱性点彩的出现主要与以下临床情况相关：铅中毒是最常见的原因，铅干扰了红细胞的成熟过程，导致嗜碱性颗粒在红细胞内积聚；β-地中海贫血和其他血红蛋白病也可出现阳性结果；骨髓增生异常综合征会影响正常造血过程；某些溶血性贫血和药物（如苯、氯霉素等）的影响也可能导致阳性结果。在解读结果时，医生会综合考虑患者的临床表现、职业暴露史、实验室检查结果（如血铅水平、血红蛋白电泳等）以及其他相关指标。
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast before this test?
Will I feel pain during the test?
If my result is positive, is it serious?
Can this test be done on its own?
Sources
- 1
- 2
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This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy