Anemia – reticulocyte
Reticulocytes are slightly immature red blood cells. A reticulocyte count is a blood test that measures the amount of these cells in the blood.
A reticulocyte count is a blood test that measures the amount of these cells in the blood. In the presence of some anemias, the body increases the production of red blood cells (RBCs) and sends these cells into the bloodstream before they mature.
How the Test is Performed
A blood sample is needed.
How to Prepare for the Test
No special preparation is necessary.
How the Test will Feel
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away.
Why the Test is Performed
The test is done to determine if red blood cells are being created in the bone marrow at an appropriate rate. The number of reticulocytes in the blood is a sign of how quickly they are being produced and released by the bone marrow.
Normal Results
A normal result for healthy adults who are not anemic is around 0.5% to 1.5%.
The normal range depends on your level of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The range is higher if hemoglobin is low, from bleeding or if red cells are destroyed.
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your health care provider about the meaning of your specific test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
A higher than normal reticulocytes count may indicate:
- Anemia due to red blood cells being destroyed earlier than normal ( hemolytic anemia )
- Bleeding
- Blood disorder in a fetus or newborn (erythroblastosis fetalis)
- Kidney disease, with increased production of a hormone called erythropoietin
A lower than normal reticulocyte count may indicate:
- Bone marrow failure (for example, from a certain drug, tumor, radiation therapy, or infection)
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Anemia caused by low iron levels, or low levels of vitamin B12 or folate
- Chronic kidney disease
Reticulocyte count may be higher during pregnancy.
Risks
There is very little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting or feeling lightheaded
- Hematoma (blood buildup under the skin)
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
FAQ
What is a reticulocyte blood test used for?
- A reticulocyte count is used to determine the number and/or percentage of reticulocytes in the blood to help evaluate conditions that affect red blood cells (RBCs), such as anemia or bone marrow disorders. Reticulocytes are newly produced, relatively immature red blood cells.
What happens if the reticulocyte count is high?
- If your results show a higher than normal amount of reticulocytes (reticulocytosis), it may mean: You have hemolytic anemia, a type of anemia in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than the bone marrow can replace them.
What is a normal reticulocyte count?
- Understand your reticulocyte Count results
- The normal, healthy range in adults is from 0.5% to 1.5%. Nevertheless, your doctor will help interpret this and recommend the next steps. If the results show the reticulocyte abnormal, this will be because of a: High reticulocyte count (also referred to as reticulocytosis).
Why is the reticulocyte count important?
- A reticulocyte count can help your doctor learn if your bone marrow is producing enough red blood cells. If your red blood cell count is too low or too high, your body will try to achieve a better balance by producing and releasing more or fewer reticulocytes.
What causes low reticulocyte count?
- Decreased reticulocyte count (medically known as reticulocytopenia), can be a result of abnormal or suppressed bone marrow function. Bone marrow issues can be caused by infections, injury, or cancer [1]. There are also bone marrow disorders that impair red blood cell production, such as aplastic anemia [1, 4].
What are the symptoms of Sideroblastic anemia?
- The signs and symptoms of sideroblastic anemia may include: fatigue, weakness, the sensation of a pounding or racing heart (palpitations), shortness of breath, headaches, irritability, and chest pain.
What causes high reticulocytes?
- Reticulocytosis (increased RETICs) without anemia can be a key indicator that the bone marrow is responding to a need for increased red blood cell production. Causes include compensated blood loss or hemolysis and hypoxia.
How do you fix reticulocyte count?
- Because the reticulocyte count is expressed as a percentage of total RBCs, it must be corrected according to the extent of anemia with the following formula: reticulocyte % × (patient Hct/normal Hct) = corrected reticulocyte count.
Is reticulocyte count high in iron deficiency anemia?
- The indices related to the immaturity of reticulocytes are higher in the presence of iron deficiency, thus demonstrating a deficiency in the raw material to form hemoglobin and are, therefore, possible early markers of iron deficiency and anemia.
Is reticulocyte count a CBC?
- The CBC may include the reticulocyte count, which is the total number of newly released young red blood cells in your blood sample. It may also be measured as a percentage.
What causes the low reticulocyte count in iron deficiency anemia?
- Iron deficiency anemia: A low reticulocyte count also can be a sign of this. It happens when your body doesn’t have enough iron to make red blood cells. Pernicious anemia: Your body doesn’t get enough vitamin B12, also producing a low reticulocyte count.
What is the treatment for sideroblastic anemia?
- Treatment of sideroblastic anemia may include the following: Removal of toxic agents. Administration of pyridoxine, thiamine, or folic acid. Transfusion (along with antidotes if iron overload develops from transfusion)
