CD34 Stem Cell Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About CD34 Stem Cell Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | CD34+ stem cell enumeration, CD34 count, Haematopoietic stem cell count, Stem cell enumeration, CD34 absolute count |
| Sample Type | Peripheral blood, bone marrow (sodium heparin or EDTA tube), apheresis stem cell product, or cord blood sample. |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required |
| Report Time | 2 Days |
| Recommended For | All genders and ages; primarily patients being assessed for stem cell transplantation or haematological disorders |
| Price | Starting at ₹2,300 |
What is a CD34 Stem Cell Test?
The CD34 stem cells test identifies and counts CD34-positive (CD34+) cells in a bone marrow sample. These are early blood-forming cells, also called haematopoietic progenitor cells, that can develop into all types of blood cells. Doctors order this test before stem cell transplantation to investigate blood disorders such as leukaemia. It is also known as CD34 absolute count or CD34+ stem cell enumeration.
What Does a CD34 Stem Cell Test Measure?
This test uses flow cytometry to detect and count specific cells based on a protein marker on their surface. The following components are assessed.
| Component | What It Tells You |
|---|---|
| CD34+ cells (percentage) | The proportion of white blood cells that carry the CD34 surface marker |
| CD34+ cells (absolute count) | The actual number of CD34+ cells per microlitre of sample |
| Cell viability | The percentage of CD34+ cells that are alive and functional, assessed using viability dyes |
CD34 is a protein found on the surface of the most immature stem cells. Cells that are CD34-positive but do not carry other markers represent the earliest stage of blood cell development. Counting them accurately is critical for planning stem cell transplantation and for diagnosing blood cancers.
Why is a CD34 Stem Cell Test Done?
This is a specialised test ordered in specific clinical situations. Your doctor may recommend it based on certain symptoms or to evaluate particular conditions.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
Several symptoms may prompt a doctor to order a CD34 stem cell test. These include:
- Unexplained and persistent fatigue
- Frequent or recurring infections
- Easy bleeding or bruising without a clear cause
- Pale skin (pallor)
- Unexplained weight loss
- Bone pain or tenderness
- Enlarged lymph nodes
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The test helps evaluate a range of blood-related conditions. These include:
- Readiness for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)
- Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)
- Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), where CD34+ progenitor cells are found at significantly higher levels
- Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), where the primary problem often begins in CD34+ stem cells
- Primary myelofibrosis (PMF), a disorder marked by elevated CD34+ cells in the bloodstream
- Assessment of bone marrow donor eligibility
- Monitoring the adequacy of stem cell collection before transplant
CD34 Stem Cell Test for Chronic Disease Monitoring
The CD34 stem cell test is used to track how patients with precursor leukaemias, such as CML, respond to treatment over time. Changes in CD34+ cell counts can reflect whether a therapy is working and may signal disease progression or blast transformation. Your doctor will determine how frequently monitoring is needed based on your clinical situation.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Preparation for this test is straightforward, but there are a few practical points to keep in mind before your appointment.
Do You Need to Fast?
No, fasting is not required for this test. You can eat and drink normally before your sample is collected.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
A little preparation helps the process go smoothly. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Bring a detailed clinical history including your symptoms, previous test results, and any relevant medical records, as this is required for the test
- Inform your doctor or the collection team about all medications you are currently taking, especially growth factors such as G-CSF, which can affect CD34+ cell counts
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the collection site
- No specific dietary restrictions apply before this test
Step-by-Step Procedure
This test may be performed using peripheral blood, bone marrow, apheresis stem cell product, or cord blood samples, depending on the clinical indication.
Peripheral Blood Collection
- A trained healthcare professional collects a blood sample from a vein using standard phlebotomy techniques.
- The sample is collected in sodium heparin or EDTA tubes and labelled appropriately.
- The sample is stored under recommended conditions and transported to the laboratory for analysis.
Bone Marrow Collection
- The doctor explains the procedure and applies a local anaesthetic to numb the collection site, usually the back of the hip bone.
- A thin needle is inserted to collect a small amount of bone marrow into sodium heparin and EDTA tubes.
- The samples are labelled, refrigerated, and transported to the laboratory promptly.
Apheresis Stem Cell Product Collection
- Stem cells are collected via apheresis procedure (a blood-filtering process) in a specialised healthcare setting.
- Blood is passed through an apheresis machine, which separates and collects stem cells before returning the remaining blood components to the body.
- The collected sample is labelled and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Cord Blood Collection
- Cord blood is collected from the umbilical cord immediately after delivery by trained healthcare personnel.
- The sample is transferred into a sterile collection bag or tube and transported under recommended conditions for testing.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Certain factors can influence how reliable your test results are. These include:
- Delay in sample transport, which can increase background interference in flow cytometry readings
- Variations in laboratory equipment, gating methods, and processing techniques
- Use of growth factors such as G-CSF, which increases CD34+ cell levels in the blood
- Myelosuppressive chemotherapy, which can affect how CD34+ progenitor cells behave
- Individual variation in bone marrow activity based on the degree of stimulation
Understanding Your CD34 Stem Cells Test Results
Results from this test should always be reviewed with your treating doctor, who will consider them alongside your clinical history, other tests, and overall health. The table below shows general reference ranges.
| Parameter | Normal Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| CD34+ cells (peripheral blood, percentage) | 0.01 to 0.1% of white blood cells | % |
| CD34+ cells (peripheral blood, absolute count) | 0.6 to 6 | cells/µL |
| CD34+ cells (normal controls, percentage) | Mean 0.05% (range 0.01 to 0.57%) | % |
These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain medical treatments can alter CD34+ cell counts significantly.
Growth factors such as granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) can raise CD34+ cell levels by encouraging stem cells to move from the bone marrow into the bloodstream. This is expected during mobilisation before stem cell collection and does not indicate a blood disorder.
Myelosuppressive chemotherapy can suppress CD34+ progenitor cell activity. When followed by growth factor treatment, CD34+ cell yields can vary considerably between patients. Your doctor will account for any ongoing treatment when interpreting your results.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
While this is a specialised test ordered for specific medical reasons, general bone marrow and blood health can be supported through everyday habits.
- Eat a balanced diet that includes foods rich in iron, vitamin B12, and folate, all of which support healthy blood cell production.
- Avoid unnecessary exposure to harmful chemicals, solvents, or radiation, which can affect bone marrow function.
- Follow your doctor's recommended schedule for follow-up tests and treatment monitoring closely.
Lupin Diagnostics CD34 Stem Cells Test Price and Home Collection
The CD34 stem cells test is available at Lupin Diagnostics starting at ₹2,300. Home collection may be available for eligible sample types such as peripheral blood, while specialised samples such as bone marrow, apheresis stem cell product, or cord blood are collected at authorised healthcare facilities based on clinical requirements.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 2300 |
| CHENNAI | 2300 |
| HYDERABAD | 2300 |
| KOLKATA | 2300 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 2300 |
| PUNE | 2300 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred time slot.
- Home sample collection may be available for eligible sample types such as peripheral blood. Specialised samples such as bone marrow, apheresis stem cell product, or cord blood are collected at authorised healthcare facilities based on clinical requirements.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within 2 days.
Home Collection
Lupin Diagnostics offers home collection for eligible sample types used in the CD34 stem cells test across multiple cities. Specialised samples such as bone marrow, apheresis stem cell product, or cord blood require collection at authorised healthcare facilities. All samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories by experienced technologists, and digital reports are delivered directly via email or WhatsApp for easy sharing with your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
The CD34 stem cells test is used primarily to count CD34+ cells before haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, where an accurate cell count is essential for a successful outcome. It is also used to diagnose and classify blood cancers such as leukaemia and to monitor treatment response in conditions like chronic myeloid leukaemia.
No, fasting is not required. You may eat and drink normally on the day of your appointment. No dietary restrictions apply before this test.
The CD34 stem cells test procedure is performed using flow cytometry, a laser-based laboratory technique used to identify and count CD34+ stem cells. Depending on the clinical requirement, a peripheral blood, bone marrow, apheresis stem cell product, or cord blood sample is collected and analysed. The results provide both the percentage and absolute count of CD34+ cells.
Results for the CD34 stem cells test are typically available within 2 days of sample collection at Lupin Diagnostics. Your report will be sent to you digitally once ready.
A higher than normal CD34+ cell count may be associated with conditions such as chronic myeloid leukaemia, primary myelofibrosis, or myelodysplastic syndromes. However, elevated counts are also expected after stem cell mobilisation treatment using growth factors. A doctor must review the result in the context of your full clinical picture before drawing any conclusions.
A low CD34+ count may suggest bone marrow failure or aplasia, poor response to stem cell mobilisation, or the effects of chemotherapy on the bone marrow. For transplantation planning, a count below 2 × 10⁶ cells per kg of recipient body weight is considered insufficient for reliable engraftment. Your doctor will advise on the next steps.
Yes, certain medications can significantly affect results. Growth factors such as G-CSF are known to increase CD34+ cell levels in the blood, while chemotherapy can suppress bone marrow activity. Always inform your doctor and the collection team about any medications or recent treatments before your CD34 stem cells test.
CD34 Stem Cell Test: Booking, Price, and Results
