reticulocyte count

Reference interval

• 0.5-1.5%
• 25,000-75,000/uL, 23-90,000/uL

Clinical significance

• reticulocyte count is an indication of the erythropoietic response to anemia
• it is useful for classifying anemia as hypoplastic vs blood loss or hemolysis
• corrected measures are often applied based upon an expected increase in reticulocyte production in response to anemia
• 1st correction = reticulocyte index
  • (Hgb patient/Hgb control) x reticulocyte count

Increases

• increased levels > 100,000/uL
  • hemolytic anemia
  • hemorrhage (3-4 days later)
  • replacement of hematic factor
    • iron, folate, vitamin B12
  • sickle cell anemia
  • post splenectomy
  • pregnancy
  • polycythemia

Decreases

• hypoplastic anemia
  • inflammation with low erythropoietin (most common)
  • nutritional deficiencies
    • vitamin B12 deficiency, pernicious anemia
    • folic acid deficiency
    • iron deficiency
  • endocrine disorders
    • adrenocortical hypofunction
    • hypothyroidism
    • testosterone deficiency
    • anterior pituitary hypofunction
  • aplastic anemia, pure red cell aplasia
  • radiation therapy
  • chronic infection
  • cirrhosis
  • malignancy, myelodysplasia

More general terms

• clinical hematology test

More specific terms

• reticulocytes immature in blood
• reticulocytes in blood from fetus

Additional terms

• reticulocyte

Component of

• deprecated CBC with reticulocyte count
• hemolysis panel
• anemia panel