Plasma Cells and Blasts, Whole Blood — Manual Count
A manual count examines white blood cells in a blood sample to measure blasts and plasma cells, which may help evaluate certain blood disorders.
["This test checks the numbers of immature white cells and plasma cells in your blood."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 74814-5
- Short code
- Plms centblst NFr Bld Manual
- Synonyms
- Plms centblst NFr Bld Manual
- Category
- liver
- Sample
- whole-blood
- Container
- Lavender-top (EDTA)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- manual-count
- Specimen volume
- 3 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
This test is a manual examination of white blood cells in a blood sample. It measures blasts, which are immature blood cells, and plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that produces antibodies.
Why might I need this test?
A clinician may order this test when blood counts or symptoms suggest a problem with blood-cell production, such as a leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, or another bone marrow disorder. It may also be used to follow the response to treatment for a blood disorder.
How is the test performed?
A blood sample is collected and used to prepare a blood smear. A laboratory technologist or hematopathologist then reviews the cells under a microscope, identifies blasts and plasma cells, and records the results.
How do I prepare for the test?
No special preparation is usually needed. Follow any instructions provided by your healthcare professional, and tell the laboratory if you have recently received chemotherapy or other treatment that could affect blood-cell counts.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
An increased number of blasts may indicate an abnormal population of immature cells, which can occur with leukemia or another marrow disorder. An increased number of plasma cells may occur with plasma-cell conditions such as multiple myeloma, although infection or inflammation can also affect these results. Interpretation depends on symptoms, other laboratory findings, and sometimes a bone marrow examination.
Short name
Manual blood blast and plasma cell count
Frequently asked questions
What are blast cells?
What are plasma cells?
Is this the same as a routine automated blood count?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
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