Immunophenotyping by Flow Cytometry Glycophorin Test
Short Name: Glycophorin Flow Cytometry
Also known as: CD235a Flow Cytometry, Glycophorin A Immunophenotyping, Erythroid Lineage Immunophenotyping, Flow Cytometry Erythroid Panel, Glycophorin A CD235a Phenotyping
Immunophenotyping by Flow Cytometry Glycophorin Test test available at DNA Labs India for ₹3,500. Uses Flow Cytometry on Whole blood in EDTA tube AND Sodium Heparin tube OR Bone marrow aspirate in Sodium Heparin tube samples. Results in Sample must be received by 9 AM daily. Reports are typically available on the same day.. Free home collection in 300+ cities across India.
🩺 Medically Reviewed By
Dr Pasupathy Arumugam
Consultant Pathologist · Reg: 21521
Last reviewed: September 7, 2026
Overview
The purpose of the Immunophenotyping by Flow Cytometry Glycophorin Test is to identify and quantify cells expressing Glycophorin A (CD235a) for the evaluation of erythroid lineage involvement in hematological conditions. This test helps differentiate erythroid leukemia from other acute leukemia subtypes, assess dyserythropoiesis in myelodysplastic syndromes, identify abnormal erythroid populations in bone marrow, and support the overall diagnostic workup of blood cancers and bone marrow disorders. It provides critical information for treatment planning and disease monitoring when used alongside morphological examination and other immunophenotyping markers.
- Test Code
- 1088
- Price
- ₹3,500
- Sample Type
- Whole blood in EDTA tube AND Sodium Heparin tube OR Bone marrow aspirate in Sodium Heparin tube
- Result Time
- Sample must be received by 9 AM daily. Reports are typically available on the same day.
- Fasting Required
- No
- Method
- Flow Cytometry
Sample Collection
Provide a brief clinical history including reason for testing, current medications, recent transfusions, and any relevant prior diagnostic results. No fasting is required. Ensure the test request form specifies time, date, and clinical details.
Method: Venipuncture for whole blood; Bone marrow aspiration for bone marrow sample
Laboratory Analysis
Whole blood: Collect 3 mL (2 mL min.) in 1 Lavender Top (EDTA) tube and 3 mL (2 mL min.) in 1 Green Top (Sodium Heparin) tube via standard venipuncture. Bone marrow: Collect 2 mL (1 mL min.) in 1 Green Top (Sodium Heparin) tube from the aspiration site using aseptic technique.
Report Delivery
Ship samples immediately at room temperature (18–22°C). Do NOT refrigerate or freeze. Ensure proper labeling with patient details, time, and date of collection.
Timeline: Sample must be received by 9 AM daily. Reports are typically available on the same day.
Patient Instructions
About This Test
Who Should Get This Test
The purpose of the Immunophenotyping by Flow Cytometry Glycophorin Test is to identify and quantify cells expressing Glycophorin A (CD235a) for the evaluation of erythroid lineage involvement in hematological conditions. This test helps differentiate erythroid leukemia from other acute leukemia subtypes, assess dyserythropoiesis in myelodysplastic syndromes, identify abnormal erythroid populations in bone marrow, and support the overall diagnostic workup of blood cancers and bone marrow disorders. It provides critical information for treatment planning and disease monitoring when used alongside morphological examination and other immunophenotyping markers.
How to Prepare
- Collect 3 mL (2 mL min.) whole blood in 1 Lavender Top (EDTA) tube
- Collect 3 mL (2 mL min.) whole blood in 1 Green Top (Sodium Heparin) tube
- Alternatively, collect 2 mL (1 mL min.) bone marrow in 1 Green Top (Sodium Heparin) tube
- Ship immediately at 18–22°C. Do NOT refrigerate or freeze
- Specify time, date, and clinical details on the test request form
- Brief clinical history must accompany the sample
Doctor's Notes
Reviewed by Dr Pasupathy Arumugam — MBBS, MD (Pathology) · Reg. No. 21521
"Immunophenotyping by flow cytometry for Glycophorin A is an essential ancillary test in the diagnostic workup of hematological malignancies. It helps identify the erythroid lineage of abnormal cells, which is critical for distinguishing erythroid leukemia subtypes and evaluating dyserythropoiesis in myelodysplastic syndromes. I recommend this test when peripheral blood findings or bone marrow morphology suggest an atypical erythroid population. Early and accurate phenotyping leads to better treatment planning and improved patient outcomes."
Last medically reviewed: September 7, 2026
Test Parameters & Specifications
Sample Stability
- Clotted blood or bone marrow samples
- Refrigerated or frozen samples
- Samples received after 24 hours at room temperature
- Insufficient sample volume (below minimum required)
- Samples without proper labeling or test request form
- Hemolyzed samples that compromise cell integrity
Understanding Your Results
Normal erythroid precursors are present. This is consistent with normal erythropoiesis. Correlate with clinical context and other markers.
No evidence of aberrant erythroid proliferation.
Suggests acute erythroid leukemia (AML-M6) or erythroleukemia. Requires urgent correlation with morphology, cytogenetics, and molecular studies.
Highly suggestive of a malignant erythroid neoplasm requiring immediate clinical evaluation.
May indicate mixed-phenotype acute leukemia or aberrant marker expression in AML. Further immunophenotyping panel required.
May influence treatment protocol and prognosis classification.
May indicate dyserythropoiesis as seen in myelodysplastic syndromes or other erythroid disorders.
Supports diagnosis of MDS or congenital dyserythropoietic anemia when correlated with other findings.
No evidence of clonal erythroid proliferation or abnormal erythroid immunophenotype. Correlate with overall clinical picture.
May help rule out erythroid involvement in a suspected hematological malignancy.
Consult your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms such as persistent fatigue, unexplained weight loss, frequent infections, easy bruising or bleeding, pale skin, shortness of breath, night sweats, enlarged lymph nodes, or bone pain. If you have been diagnosed with a blood disorder, leukemia, lymphoma, or myelodysplastic syndrome, discuss with your hematologist or oncologist whether this test is appropriate for your ongoing monitoring and treatment planning.
Limitations
- ⚠Flow cytometry immunophenotyping is an adjunct to morphological and clinical evaluation and should not be used as a standalone diagnostic tool
- ⚠Results must be interpreted in the context of clinical history, peripheral blood smear, bone marrow morphology, and cytogenetic findings
- ⚠The test identifies cell surface markers but cannot independently determine malignancy or benignancy
- ⚠Glycophorin A may be downregulated in certain abnormal erythroid populations, potentially leading to false-negative results
- ⚠Paraffin-embedded tissue samples are not suitable for this test; fresh samples are required
- ⚠Technical variations between laboratories may affect absolute marker positivity thresholds
Risks & Considerations
- ●Mild pain or bruising at the venipuncture site
- ●For bone marrow aspiration: localized pain at the aspiration site, minor bleeding, or infection at the puncture site (rare)
- ●Fainting or dizziness during blood draw (uncommon)
- ●No significant risks associated with flow cytometry analysis itself
Interfering Factors
- ●Hemolyzed blood samples may affect cell integrity and marker expression patterns
- ●Sample processing delayed beyond 24 hours at room temperature may lead to antigen degradation
- ●Refrigeration or freezing of samples is not acceptable and can alter Glycophorin A expression
- ●Clotted samples are unsuitable for flow cytometric analysis
- ●Recent blood transfusion may introduce donor erythroid cells affecting results
- ●Concurrent chemotherapy or growth factor therapy may alter erythroid marker expression
Compare With Similar Tests
| Test | Immunophenotyping by Flow Cytometry Glycophorin Test | Complete Blood Count (CBC) | Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy | Peripheral Blood Smear | Immunohistochemistry (IHC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comparison | Immunophenotyping by Flow Cytometry Glycophorin Test | A CBC provides an overview of blood cell counts and indices but does not identify specific cell surface markers. Flow cytometry Glycophorin test provides detailed immunophenotypic characterization of erythroid cells at the molecular level. | Bone marrow biopsy evaluates overall marrow architecture and cell morphology. Flow cytometry adds immunophenotypic precision by identifying specific lineage markers like Glycophorin A that may not be apparent on morphology alone. | A peripheral blood smear allows morphological assessment of blood cells under microscopy. Flow cytometry provides objective, quantitative data on marker expression and can detect aberrant populations that may be missed on smear review. | IHC identifies protein expression on tissue sections using antibodies. Flow cytometry offers higher sensitivity, simultaneous multi-marker analysis, and quantitative data, making it preferable for liquid samples and detailed immunophenotyping. |
Frequently Asked Questions
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