AsseyMethod: Direct smear
Abbrevation: Retic Count
Sector: Hematology
SampleType: WB-EDTA
S.Vol: -
Transport: at RT,at 4˚c
Storage: 6 hrs. at RT, 3 days at 2-8˚c
Test Name: Reticlocyte
Normal Range: Adult:0.5-1.5% Neuborn:1.5-3.5%
To help evaluate the bone marrow's ability to produce red blood cells (RBCs) and to help distinguish between anaemia related to blood loss or destruction and anaemia related to decreased RBC production; to help monitor bone marrow response and the return of normal marrow function following chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant, or post-treatment follow-up for iron deficiency anaemia
When you have a decreased (or increased) RBC count, haemoglobin, haematocrit or platelet count and your doctor wants to evaluate bone marrow activity
A blood sample obtained by inserting a needle into a vein in the arm or sometimes from pricking a finger or the heel in the case of infants.
Test samples are collected into sample tubes containing EDTA preservatives.
No test preparation is needed. Blood sample can be collected at any time of the day, before or after a meal.
Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells (RBCs). They are produced in the bone marrow when stem cells differentiate and progress toward RBC development, eventually forming reticulocytes and finally mature RBCs. Most RBCs are fully mature before they are released from the bone marrow into the blood, but about 0.5 – 2% of the RBCs in circulation will be reticulocytes. This test measures the number and percentage of reticulocytes in the blood and serves as an indicator of the adequacy of bone marrow red blood cell (RBC) production.
Normal RBCs have a lifespan of about 120 days. The body attempts to maintain a stable number of RBCs in circulation by continually removing old RBCs and producing new ones in the bone marrow. If this steady state is disrupted by an increased loss of RBCs or by decreased production, then anaemia will develop. Increased loss of red blood cells may be due to severe and short term (acute) or chronic bleeding haemorrhage) or haemolysis. The body compensates for this loss by increasing the rate of RBC production. When this happens, the number and percentage of reticulocytes in the blood increases until a sufficient number of RBCs is present and the balance is restored or until the production capacity of the marrow is reached.
Decreased RBC production may occur when the bone marrow is not functioning normally, due to a bone marrow disorder such as aplastic anaemia or due to marrow suppression from a variety of causes including radiation and chemotherapy treatments for cancer, because of insufficient erythropoietin, or because of deficiencies in certain nutrients such as iron, vitamin B12, or folate. This decreased production leads to fewer RBCs in circulation, decreased haemoglobin and oxygen-carrying capacity, a lower haematocrit, and to a reduction in the number of reticulocytes as old RBCs are removed from the bloodstream, but not fully replaced.
Occasionally, both the reticulocyte count and the RBC count will be increased because of excess RBC production. This may be due to a variety of causes including inappropriately increased production of erythropoietin, disorders that chronically produce increased numbers of RBCs (polycythemia vera), and cigarette smoking.
How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is obtained by inserting a needle into a vein in the arm or sometimes from pricking a finger or the heel of an infant.
Is any test preparation needed to ensure the quality of the sample?
No test preparation is needed. Blood sample can be collected at any time of the day, before or after a meal.