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Abdul Muqtadir Abbasi: 5 Questions to Ask When the CBC Is Abnormal
Sep 29, 2026, 10:36

Abdul Muqtadir Abbasi: 5 Questions to Ask When the CBC Is Abnormal

Abdul Muqtadir Abbasi, Assistant Consultant at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“When you see an abnormal CBC, don’t stop at the flagged value.

Ask 5 actionable questions:

1. Is it isolated or are multiple cell lines affected?

  •  This immediately narrows the differential.

2.What does the MCV tell me?

  • Microcytic, normocytic, or macrocytic anemia points you in different directions.

3.What does the peripheral smear show?

  • Blasts, schistocytes, spherocytes, target cells, rouleaux… morphology can change the entire workup.

4.Is this new or chronic?

  • Compare with previous CBCs before launching an extensive investigation.

5.Does the clinical picture fit?

  • Symptoms, medications, infection, bleeding, organ dysfunction and recent treatment may explain the abnormality.

The CBC gives you the clue. Your job is to connect the clues.”

Other posts featuring Abdul Muqtadir Abbasi on Hemostasis Today.