myelocytes in peripheral blood smear-what does this mean?

[Ellen McDonough]

Hello,
I had a peripheral blood smear done that showed myelocytes- 1%.I have never seen this finding in the past with previous tests. I have severe aplastic anemia with partial remission -treated in 2009 with horse ATG and Cyclosporin .My WBC's have been running 2.5 to 3.5,hgb-11-12 and platelets run in the 80's.I am a 52 yo female.
Anyone know if having myelocytes is a significant finding?I am not sure what this means.
Thanks,Ellen

[DanL]

Ellen,

Myelocytes are neutrophils that have not finished developing and are released into the blood prematurely, but they are not blasts. There are several different reasons to see them in the blood ranging from bacterial infections to blood/marrow disorders. They are usually an indication of some form of systemic stress, and are pretty common in bone marrow disorders like AA and MDS.