WBC 723

Not 7.23... 723

I don't have anywhere else to post this to so hopefully some of you here can share in my excitement!!

My backstory is that during my undergrad Bio degree I was struggling a lot with depression, leaving my alcoholic mother, and smoking wayyy to much marijuana to cope. I graduated with a 3.3 GPA, not great, not horrible either. Started working in a lab after graduation and started tech school 2 years ago, having worked out my mental struggles and stopped smoking.

Today I have officially passed all my clinical course work with an A grade and maintained a 4.0 GPA. I know in the long run this doesn't matter, but its an INSANE point of pride for me to have done it for no one but myself. To prove to myself I COULD do it!!!

Journey's not over, still have to do clinicals and pass the board but... damn. Its possible guys! Hard work pays off 💪🏻 ❤️

any input appreciated

Hi, so I got an interview invitation for SHLS and MLS
from a college. Can someone elaborate on what I should expect during the interview and how it works? Is there a hard and complicated question format and scenario?

Hi everyone, I’m hoping medical laboratory professionals can help me understand a sample-quality question about my five-year-old son’s bloodwork.
He had an MRI under sedation, and afterward blood was collected through the IV catheter in his arm, which had also been used for contrast and IV fluids. His tests included CBC, CMP, ANA by IFA, complements (C3, C4, CH50), and immunoglobulins (IgG, IgE, IgA, IgM).
All the results have come back, but the CMP included a comment that slight hemolysis was present and could affect certain results. The comment was under phosphatase and AST only.
These were follow-up tests after six months. His previous ANA by multiplex was positive, with a low anti-RNP result of 1.2. His rheumatologist thought this was likely a false positive, and his immunologist ordered ANA by IFA for the repeat testing. This time, the ANA by IFA was negative, which was reassuring.
However, several results, including complements, seem to be toward the lower end of their reference ranges or lower than before. Now I’m wondering whether the sample collection or hemolysis could have influenced them.
My questions are:
Could mild hemolysis affect ANA by IFA, particularly by causing a false negative?
Could it affect C3, C4, or CH50, and could it make them appear lower?
Could it affect the CBC, especially WBC or lymphocyte counts?
Is hemolysis different from contamination or dilution from IV fluids, and how does the lab assess these possibilities?
Is sample quality checked separately for these tests, or could a hemolysis comment on the CMP also matter for the other results?
I’m looking to understand the reliability of the samples and testing, rather than asking for a diagnosis. Thank you for any insight.

Hey guys! I’m a senior in a USA highschool right now and i’m in between these 2 programs/majors. I’m leaning towards Forensic Science but the job security and competitive market after graduation is scaring me.I’ve heard MLS is kinda like a dna analysis lab environment but u just work in a hospital rather than private labs/FBI. Just want other ppl’s thoughts!

I take my exam in a week. Any more (recent, within the last year or two preferably) tips you can give so that I pass this time?

I'll take even basic tips--I'm making my last minute study papers of just everything and if I can avoid overflooding my brain I'd love that. Any memorization I need??

How do you stay calm during the exam knowing your future is riding on it as well? What kept you sane day of/week of?

(sidenote: I'm posting this because the last advice I see here for this kinda thing is at least 3 years old. I'd like to know a rough estimate of recent info instead.)

Hi! I just wanted to ask if anyone here has taken the online hematology competency using CellaVision. How was your experience?

I cannot afford a bachelors degree, so I am looking at programs that would provide a stable job and I am interested in med lab tech because I love medical science.

Are the benefits good? I am chronically ill and having good benefits for my biologics is kinda more important than pay. I can't live alone anyway.

Is there flexibility in shifts? It’s better for my health to work a predictable schedule during the day.

Anything else I should know? Thanks in advance!

I am also considering medical assisting so you might see a repost of this in that subreddit.

Hi everyone, is anyone here taking the CORU Test of Professional Competence (ToPC) in November 2026? If so, could you please share your experience with the application process, including the required documents and timelines?

Any advice would be really appreciated. Thank you!

I’m getting labs Friday morning. Should I expect to see any results processed on weekend?

I’m currently a comms major and really interested in going to PA school after undergrad. I have somewhat of an idea on where to start but it would be helpful if people who were admitted could share the extracurriculars that got them into the program as well as stats and gpa:)