CML DiagnosisA CML diagnosis is based on a physical exam followed by a complete blood count. Samuel Johnson Typically, your doctor will request a complete blood count and either they or a medical technologist will take a sample of your blood and send it to a laboratory for analysis. At the laboratory your blood cells will be counted by either a special blood counting machine or manually by an actual human. A blood count analyzer will aspirate (add air to) a small amount of your blood through some tubing. This tubing contains sensors that count the number of different types of cells in a process known as "Flow Cytometry". Even after your blood has been counted by the automatic blood counting machine there may be a need for a lab technician to inspect and count your blood. The reason for this is to eliminate the possibility of the machine misidentifying cells. Your CML diagnosis results will then be reported to your supervising physician. Blood basically consists of three types of cells. Red blood cells are the most common and they are responsible for delivering oxygen throughout your body via your circulatory system. White blood cells have the duty of attacking and removing diseased and infectious foreign material. Platelets are the cells that cause your blood to clot (also known as hemostasis) when bleeding occurs.
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