Ovalocyte Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.

Beta Thalassemia MinimaBeta Thalassemia MinorBeta Thalassemia Intermedia Beta Thalassemia MajorDelta-Beta ThalassemiaAnemiaAbsentMild to absentModerateSevereMildRed blood cell (RBC) countNormalIncreasedDecreased to normalDecreasedDecreased to normalHemoglobin(Hb)NormalDecreased to normal (10 - 12 g/dL) Decreased (7 - 10 g/dL)Marked decrease (<7 g/dL)Decreased to normal (8 - 13 g/dL)Mean corpuscular volume (MCV)Slight to no decreaseMarked decreaseMarked decreaseMarked decreaseMay be slightly decreasedMean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)Slight to no decreaseMarked decrease Marked decreaseMarked decreaseMay be slightly decreasedRed blood cell distribution width (RDW)NormalNormal to slightly increasedIncreasedIncreasedNormalRBC morphologyNormalMarked hypochromia and microcytosis Codocytes (target cells) Possible basophilic stippling Nucleated RBCs are usually not presentMarked hypochromia and microcytosis Codocytes (target cells) Possible basophilic stippling Nucleated RBCs are usually not presentMarked hypochromia and microcytosis Codocytes (target cells) schistocytes ovalocytes basophilic stippling polychromasia nucleated RBCs Possible hypochromia and microcytosis Codocytes (target cells) Basophilic stippling Reticulocyte countNormalMay be slightly increasedSlightly increased (<5%)Mildly increased (5 - 10%)Mildly increasedHb electrophoresisNormal patternDecreased amount of Hb A Variable amounts of Hb A2 and Hb F Decreased amount of Hb A Variable amount of Hb A2 Hb F is usually increased Severly decreased amount of Hb A Variable amount of Hb A2 Usually an increased amount of Hb F Decreased amount of Hb A and Hb A2 Increased amount of Hb F (15 - 20%)If red blood cells are normochromic and normocytic, the RBC, Hb, and Hematocrit (HCT) test values follow in three-fold progression (i.e., RBC x 3 = Hb and Hb x 3 = HCT). This is sometimes referred to as "the rule of threes." This rule will usually not apply in cases of beta thalassemia, particularly beta thalassemia minor where the RBCs are not normochromic and are microcytic, and where there is a disproportionate number of RBCs for the amount of hemoglobin that is present.

Ovalocytes/elliptocytes are oval or elliptical red blood cells that range in shape from slightly egg-shaped to rod or pencil forms. They have normal central pallor with the hemoglobin concentrated at the ends of the elongated cells. The ends of the cells are blunt and not sharp like sickle cells.A rare ovalocyte/elliptocyte (less than 1%) may be found on almost any peripheral blood smear. However, when they comprise more than 25% of the red blood cells on the blood smear, hereditary elliptocytosis (HE) is probable. In most cases, patients are asymptomatic while having normal red blood cell life spans, although a mild anemia may occur. Resistance to malarial infection may be a beneficial attribute of HE.