Flow Cytometry Study

What Does Flow Cytometry Measure?

Flow cytometry examines cells as they pass through a laser beam. The machine measures how cells scatter light and emit fluorescence, which helps identify different cell types and their characteristics. This includes checking for cell size, shape, internal structures, and surface markers that can indicate health or disease.

Common Uses of Flow Cytometry

This test is often used to diagnose blood cancers like leukemia or lymphoma, monitor immune responses, check for immune system disorders, and evaluate blood disorders such as anemia or thrombocytopenia. It may also be used in research or specialized clinical settings for rare conditions.

Sample Types and Preparation

Flow cytometry typically requires a small sample of blood (whole blood or plasma/serum) or other body fluids like cerebrospinal fluid. Your healthcare provider will take the sample in a sterile tube and send it to the lab, where it is prepared for analysis by the machine.

How the Test Works

The prepared sample is injected into the flow cytometer, a device that streams cells through a narrow tube. A laser or other light source illuminates the cells, and detectors measure how the cells scatter light and fluoresce. Different cell types and abnormalities produce unique patterns, which are recorded and analyzed.