Polychromasia

A health condition in which immature red blood cells are more than is considered normal is called polychromasia. Usually, doctors diagnose it through a peripheral blood smear (PBS). Moreover, this condition often indicates red blood cells are destroyed faster than the body can replace them. In general, polychromasia is treatable, but it depends on the underlying cause.

Normally, the red blood cells appear pink or salmon-colored on a PBS, but if you have this condition, they can appear blue, bluish-gray, or purple. In such cases, red blood cells are immature (reticulocytes). Typically, in individuals with this disorder, the bone marrow continuously produces immature red blood cells. The bone marrow is a spongy structure in the large bones that makes new blood cells.

Symptoms

Usually, this condition does not cause specific symptoms and often resembles those of anemia. Check below for the most common symptoms of anemia:

Pale skin
Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
Tachycardia (fast heart rate)
Hypotension (low blood pressure)
Dizziness
Lightheadedness
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
Extreme tiredness
Weakness
Headaches
Enlarged liver (hepatomegaly) or spleen (splenomegaly)

Some people with polychromasia may not experience the previous symptoms because it depends on the exact underlying disorder and the severity of the polychromasia.

Causes

Usually, polychromasia is a signal of an underlying condition that causes the bone marrow to prematurely release red blood cells into your bloodstream. However, in some cases, it may occur when the red blood cell count drops. As a result, the body tries to compensate for the deficiency of the mature red blood cells. Check below some conditions that could cause polychromasia:

Hemolytic anemia – This is a blood condition that happens when red blood cells are destroyed prematurely. Usually, this process happens at a faster rate than the bone marrow can replace them. Some inherited disorders (such as sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria or PNH) and certain medications.
Severe blood loss – The bone marrow can begin to produce and release reticulocytes due to severe external or internal bleeding. It occurs because the bone marrow tries to compensate for the deficiency of the mature red blood cells.
Cancer – Some types of cancer can invade the bone marrow and affect the production of blood cells.
Pregnancy – This is one of the most common causes of polychromasia, but usually it is not a cause of concern.
High altitudes – Normally, the oxygen levels are reduced in high-altitude environments. Therefore, it triggers an increased production and release of the immature red blood cells into the bloodstream.

Furthermore, doctors can recommend adding some nutrients to your diet to improve red blood cell count. These include vitamin B12, folic acid, Iron, and others.

What Are The Possible Complications of Polychromasia?

Those who develop this condition can also experience some complications, especially if they do not experience symptoms or do not get treatment. Check below some examples:

Severe anemia (this form of anemia can also cause reduced quality of life, weakness, and extreme fatigue)
Heart problems – In people with polychromasia, the heart muscle may become overworked.
Increased risk of infections
Blood clots (this complication can also lead to stroke or myocardial infarction)
Enlarged spleen
Other blood disorders

This article does not contain all possible polychromasia complications. In any case, you can talk with your doctor about measures to reduce the risk of the long-term effects of this condition.

How to Prevent Polychromasia?

Usually, this disorder is a sign of a blood condition that disappears when the underlying cause is treated. Usually, doctors inform their patients when polychromasia causes concerns and recommend specific treatments.

Diagnosis

Doctors usually diagnose this condition based on the PBS results. During this test, doctors often check for red blood cells that stain dark blue or blue-gray. In normal circumstances, the red blood cells stain pink.

Once you are diagnosed with this condition, doctors often perform additional tests to determine the underlying condition. They can also ask some questions about the symptoms and medical history to get more clues about the disease. In some cases, they can perform a physical examination to check for symptoms of hemolytic anemia, such as an enlarged liver or spleen.

Treatment

The treatment is often different among people with polychromasia because it depends on several factors. For example, the severity and the exact cause of the condition, existing health problems, age, and preferences. Check below some treatments often recommended by doctors for people with polychromasia:

Blood transfusions – This option is often used in people with some inherited disorders (such as sickle cell disease) or severe blood loss.
Corticosteroids – This group of medicines is used to reduce inflammation in the body. However, physicians may prescribe it for people with immune system disorders that attack healthy red blood cells, such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
Immunosuppressants – This group of medicines is used to suppress the immune system that mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the body. They are often prescribed when corticosteroids do not work.

Moreover, doctors may also prescribe other medicines, including anti-parasitic medicines, antibiotics, or antivirals, when an infection causes polychromasia. It is very important to take medicines exactly as recommended by your doctor to avoid unpleasant outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do red blood cells appear blue on a PBS?

These blood cells appear blue on a PBS because the genetic material (known as RNA) that reticulocytes contain appears blue or bluish-gray. However, RNA often disappears as red blood cells become mature. It is very important to know that reticulocytes work as efficiently as mature red blood cells.

What does polychromasia indicate?

This condition indicates an increased amount of immature red blood cells in the blood. They often look blue or bluish-gray on a PBS. Furthermore, it may also suggest that the body cannot replace the deficiency of red blood cells as fast as they are destroyed. If you think you have polychromasia, it is advised to see a doctor right away.

What is the difference between hypochromic and polychromasia?

While polychromasia indicates the presence of immature red blood cells in the bloodstream, hypochromasia is a condition in which the red blood cells are paler than normal. Usually, this disorder is caused by a reduced amount of hemoglobin in the blood. Ask your healthcare professional if you have any other questions.