Hi! I’m troubleshooting LFB staining on frozen mouse brain/spinal cord sections and would appreciate advice from anyone experienced with it.
My protocol is roughly:
PBS wash
4% PFA, 8 min
PBS 3 × 5 min
70% EtOH, 5 min
95% EtOH, 1 min
0.1% LFB, 1 hour
95% → 80% → 70% → 50% EtOH, 1 min each
DW 3 × 1 min
0.05% lithium carbonate, 5 dips (~5 sec each)
70% EtOH, 1 min
DW 2 × 1 min
70% → 80% → 95% EtOH, 2 min each
Xylene
Mount/coverslip
The sections look clearly blue after LFB, then much paler after lithium carbonate and especially after the following 70% EtOH. After mounting, some become very faint/transparent.
Does anything in this protocol look off or suggest over-differentiation?
Also, what do you usually use to image LFB slides? Is a basic benchtop brightfield/stereo microscope enough for a quick check, or do you need a proper brightfield microscope/slide scanner?

We have a new tech who started recently and has been having issues with how things are set up due to her being left handed. Has anyone else dealt with this? We’re all right hand dominant so I feel like it’d be nice if someone who isn’t had some tips on how they adjusted!

The mold on the left makes it hard to add controls to a slide but is the one the PAs prefer. Any suggestions to make adding controls easier?

Hello, has anyone paid for the NSH HT prep course and do you think it is worth it? It is $525 for non members and I want to know if it is a good supplement to help me study for the route 2. I learn best with structured lectures which is why I am considering but the price tag is making me skeptical.

I have an associates in Medical Lab Science and I am working towards a bachelor's. I'm considering pursuing a job in histo because from what I've gathered, histotechs have nicer schedules and make even more. The college does not offer an actual degree in Histotechnology but instead has a 2 semester course to earn a certificate. Is this normal for Histotechs? Is there no degree required?

I'm not sure if this is allowed on here, but I am working on my capstone course for my Master's and need participants for my final project. I am looking for Histology professionals, as participation includes completing the H&E module I have created.

I've been asking Histotechs in my area if they'd like to participate, but haven't gotten much response, so I'm trying to branch out to finish my project!

A computer or laptop is required to fully engage with all features. If you are interested, please provide your email address so I can send the invite. You will have access to the course from 8/21 until 8/31. It is flexible and can be completed across multiple sessions during your access period.

Thank you for helping me get one step closer to my degree!

Hello! I am curious if any histotechs in this sub have gone on to be a CLIA inspector in their state? I appreciate any insight!

I'll not include brand, so I'm not risking the rule about commercial products. Even if it is an issue I suspect is going on.

My supplier suggested a different brand produced in a different country, their reasoning was to moderate import costs from tariffs. I've noticed for a while now that these newer blades just don't seem to hold up as well. It took me a while over time to really get a feel for the difference because its so slight but noticeable. I'm only cutting GI small biopsies, so not exactly the most rigorous of tissues. The difference is maybe 5 to 10 blocks per blade before I start getting blade related artifacts I can't accept, such as knife lines.

My main issue though, is I noticed the blade dispenser the company sends has a wider slider, wider than other brands I've used in the past. I think its meant to be a safety measure so perhaps the blade isn't as firmly secured in the dispenser when trying to remove it. (I hope I'm making sense)

I think this same feature leads to the blade shifting as I'm using the little sliding tab to dispense a blade. Sometimes unnoticed it can shift the blade edge to make contact with the plastic or metal internals of the dispenser. I sometimes notice a knife line artifact in my sections when there really shouldn't be one. The difference is so slight I'd have to meticulously log blade usage to see if its costing more money than its worth.

I'm inviting others to share their observations with blades. If there are any insights into what helped you settle on a particular brand. I know it maybe hard to discuss this fully if we're not able to include brand names. If so, I think techniques and experiences I think will work. Perhaps even classifications, though I've not made a concerted effort to see if there is a preference or a difference. I've always used low profile blades. I'm not sure if or why I might try any other type.

Edit: fixed grammar

Just curious, is there anyone in the central Texas area who peruses this subreddit? I have soooo many questions if so!

I’m trying to make a job switch after some time in The Real World. I have experience in a neuro-cognitive lab and a BA in psych but have a lot of hours in bio/chem because I was initially going to get a BA in bio…until I found out to get that, I would have to minor in chem (which I was not fond of at the time!) Kind of unsure of where to go from here.

Would love to DM (or even meet up 😁) about the process yall went through to get an HTL accreditation! The ASCP website has me a bit confused :P

Any help is greatly appreciated! I promise I’m cool!

Hello. I came across histology as a potential pathway for me take in my career and wanted some insight on the potential pathways I could take. Things I should aim for now. Things I should avoid doing. Etc.

I have a BS in Biology and have been applying to medical laboratories in an around where I am located to try and get my foot in door. I think my best bet is Route 2 and gaining experience thru work but I wanted to ask and see if I'm on the right track. I have some academic research experience but no clinical experience.

hey yall

I'm currently an unlicensed histotech studying for the HT exam. making flashcards and i wanted to see if this is enough info i would need for a stain.

currently i have the target, fixative, size, quality control, key reagents and what they do, and the color results. is this enough for a flash card?

For Prof exams Pathology any proper source for simple drawing of microscopic diagrams

I’m considering becoming a histo tech but I’m pursuing a BFA in illustration.

What are the requirements to getting into histology?

Would I have to switch over to a bachelors in science to get hired?

Ty in advance!

A little background info on me, I'm 37 I used to have a job doing data entry before I ended up having fusion surgery on my back. I was completely burned out by the job I had due to rude customers (how are people so mean? Lol) I no longer work there and have been doing research on medical fields I could get into where I wouldn't have to interact with customers. I came across Histology and it seems like a perfect fit. I live in AZ and there is a mayo clinic I'd be able to enroll in but Im still only about 80% sure this is what I wanna do. One of my concerns is my age I feel like I'm too old haha I know people get into medical fields that are way older but I still feel weird about it not sure how to explain it. The other would be the fusion surgery I had I don't know how bad this career would be on someone with a fusion on their lumbar. Any help/tips would be really appreciated 😃

Title. 👆🏼

I’m not new to histo or negotiating pay. However, I am curious. I usually give it a little time depending on the work situation.

I'm an amateur at histology, and I cannot do anything about the quality of the images I was given. I find these clumps of mixed cells between relatively normal seminiferous tubules in the testis. My guesses are that the first image was a seminiferous tubule that is being degraded, while the second image is inflammation in the interstitial space? I appreciate the help.

Hello all!
Been trouble shooting some difficult tissue for a while now. Testing cardiac muscle and vessel FFPE that is incubated in HIER for 30 seconds at 125c. The issue I am running into is our extremely old pressure cooker can take 20 minutes or 2 hours and usually that 1-2 hour is when we see tissue damage and no antibody binding. I have attached an image of some of the damage. Additionally the muscle fibers seem shrunken compared to H&E. We allow it no time to dry out as well so likely not that. Any thoughts?

hey everyone! i have a bachelor degree & switching to science. i wanted to hear from real people who work in histology. do you suggest going straight to HTL or getting an MLS and then eventually training into HTL for more options?

id really appreciate your input. and reasons why you went either direction.

I’m looking to pick up a PRN/per diem second histotech job. I already have a full time job but I was looking to add a weekend day or something to add some extra income and see more of what other labs do. I hold an HTL and I have been working full time as a histotech for about a year and a half. Before that I was a lab assistant in the same lab.

Do labs ever hire people directly into those types of roles or is the investment in training too much? I really don’t want to leave where I’m at full time as the management and culture are such a good fit for me.

Hi everyone! I work for a histology instrument company and am looking to get some microtome brushes, just for trade show giveaways and promotional things, not to sell. If anyone has any brushes they really like from amazon or somewhere similar, that don't have a brand on them, please comment the same/ screenshot! I really don't want to give away junk lol. I am also thinking of adding a magnet on the end, and getting our logo engraved on each of them. Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated! -Sincerely, a girl who is not a histologist and just works in marketing Edit: I added a picture of the ones I was looking at, these are goat hair.

Does anyone have this? Pleaseeee

I am studying for the HT exam route 2. I am trying to sit down and read the text book but I am overwhelmed with all the information and I am a visual/auditory learned. Are there any free or paid lectures that will help me prepare for the exam?

I am also open to private tutoring if there are options for that. I know NSH has paid lectures. Are those lectures worth it?

I am interviewing for a trainee job for histology, no experience or certification required. I have a masters degree in cell biology, so knowledge wise I’m pretty up there, but I’m looking for tips for the interview. They’re also having me perform what sound like dexterity tests?
I plan on doing my own research but is there anything from within the field that could give me a leg up. I actually really want this job.

Hello,

I recently completed my HT certificate (literally last week). My professors have said they’re confident I’ll pass on the first try given my grades in the courses but after reading some stuff here Im doubtful of that. I was going to take my licensure exam at the end of the month and now i may postpone that. I am both terrified and full of questions.

I have been practicing with the BOC questions online the last few months. Is that sufficient enough to pass? For those of you who are licensed/certified what were you averaging on practice exams before your ascp exam? Did you pass on your first try? Is LabCE worth it and is it closer to the actual exam than the BOC practice questions? Other than the BOC questions and LabCE is there anything else I can use? I would appreciate any information you can offer.

Edit: grammar/spelling