Reticulocyte Count: A Comprehensive Guide and Its Significance in Medical Diagnosis
By Dr. Nayana Shetty +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nayana Shetty
Last updated: May 2, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Nayana Shetty +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nayana Shetty
Last updated: May 2, 2024Table of Contents
Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells. Assessing their number in the blood may help us detect problems tied to the production of red blood cells and how our bone marrow functions. In this article, we will delve into how the test is performed and how the results are interpreted. Lastly, we will answer some frequently asked questions regarding this topic.
Did you know?
Reticulocytes are young red blood cells made in bone marrow. Counting them in your bloodstream helps doctors monitor your bone marrow’s performance. It’s a critical step when they’re trying to identify anaemia or other blood disorders.
The table below depicts the difference between a reticulocyte and a mature red blood cell.
| Traits | Reticulocytes | Mature Red Blood Cells |
| Growth phase | Not fully grown | Fully grown |
| Life Expectancy | 1 to 2 days | Approximately 120 days |
| Haemoglobin content | High | Low |
| Cell size | Large | Small |
In this section, we have described why a reticulocyte count test is ordered by your doctor.
A low red blood cell count, or low haemoglobin level is known as anaemia. A reticulocyte count helps doctors detect different types of anaemia. It may help them figure out if the problem is low production of reb blood cells, faster breakdown of red blood cells, or blood loss.
A reticulocyte count test may throw light on the bone marrow functioning. The count being too high or too low may point to issues in production of red blood cells.
For those who are undergoing therapies like chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or those managing iron deficiency anaemia, this count gives critical input. It helps in the monitoring of the bone marrow’s reaction to the therapy given and the progress of the individual health wise.
For precise results of a reticulocyte count, you should prepare well, and be aware of when to take the test.
Even though no specific rules apply before the test, it’s important to tell your healthcare provider about the medicines you’re taking and any medical conditions you have. Some drugs may interfere with the results, so your doctor might suggest you stop taking them shortly before the test.
When you take the reticulocyte count test can have a big impact on the results. Your healthcare provider will tell you about the best time for your test, based on your health and past treatments.
Knowing how the reticulocyte count testing is done can make you feel at ease about your laboratory appointment.
Blood collection plays a key role in getting results for a reticulocyte count. The means the collection may differ from person to person.
For adults, blood is usually taken from a vein in the arm, either at the elbow or back of the hand. The technician will clean the skin, wrap a plastic band tightly around the arm, poke a sterile needle through the skin, and collect blood in a vial.
Blood collection in infants and young children is slightly different. The doctor will make a tiny cut/prick, and as it starts bleeding, they’ll gather the blood onto a test strip or slide. This is the alternative testing method.
Megaloblastic anaemia may be caused by several vitamin deficiencies, including folic acid and/or vitamin B12. It may also be brought on by some medications and bone marrow diseases. The basis is usually a lower-than-normal reticulocyte count and an inability of your bone marrow to make typical red blood cells.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D
Understanding what your reticulocyte count results are may aid you in the direction of the right diagnosis of your health issues.
If you’re a healthy adult who doesn’t have anaemia, your reticulocyte count should be between 0.5% to 2.5%. There might be slight changes depending on factors like laboratory protocols and each person’s haemoglobin levels.
Doctors count absolute reticulocyte to monitor if the bone marrow is making the right number of red blood cells. Those with anaemia have their absolute reticulocyte count adjusted based on the severity of their anaemia.
To get a true picture of reticulocyte creation, the corrected reticulocyte count (CRC) and reticulocyte production index (RPI) may be used. These values consider shifts caused by anaemia and provide a better look into the bone marrow function.
A reticulocyte count that’s not normal can signal various issues, depending on whether it’s high or low. By understanding these changes and working with your healthcare provider, you can explore the next steps in management. The causes of change in the reticulocyte counts are discussed below.
When your red blood cells don’t live their complete lifecycle, i.e. 120 days, you might get hemolytic anaemia. Your bone marrow produces extra reticulocytes in an attempt to compensate for the loss when that occurs. An unusually high reticulocyte count is indicated by more reticulocytes.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
The various reasons behind abnormal reticulocyte counts are as follows.
If your reticulocyte count is higher than normal, it could highlight the following.
A lower than normal reticulocyte count may hint at the following.
We should be aware of the risks and limits of a reticulocyte count, and other diagnostic tests, to make informed choices about our health. These are discussed below.
Blood collection comes with little risk. You might feel a sting or pain at the drawing site and have more than usual bleeding or bruising. In rare cases, you might get an infection or hematoma.
The reticulocyte count is an important diagnostic tool. But it does have a few limits. These include changing reference ranges due to laboratory protocols, the effects of a blood transfusion on results, and possible laboratory mistakes in counting and handling blood sample.
Your healthcare provider might suggest more tests. These could include a full blood count (CBC) and checks for possible lack of nutrients, to get a clearer diagnosis.
After you have your reticulocyte count results, your healthcare provider will help you decide on the next steps.
Doctors could suggest more tests to find out the exact cause of an abnormal reticulocyte count. These could include checks for lack of nutrients, tests for liver and kidney function, and, in some cases, bone marrow biopsies.
Depending on the root cause, your healthcare provider may prescribe appropriate management options. These could include medication, dietary supplements, or lifestyle changes like adjusting your diet.
You might need regular follow-ups with your healthcare provider and repeated reticulocyte counts to track your progress and see how well your management plan is working.
Reticulocyte count is crucial to deciphering how your bone marrow functions and diagnosing possible conditions related to anaemia. A clear understanding of how testing is done, what the results mean, and a tailored management plan all lead to the best path to good health. So, keep asking questions, discuss with your healthcare provider about your concerns, and stay on top of your health journey.
A reticulocyte count offers details of red blood cell production by the bone marrow and aids in diagnosing anaemias and other blood disorders.
A low reticulocyte count might show up in cases of aplastic anaemia, deficiency of iron, or shortage of vitamin B12/folate.
How to treat a high reticulocyte count depends on the root cause. It may involve addressing blood loss, managing hemolysis, or fixing a nutrient shortage.
An increased reticulocyte count can hint at issues like sudden blood loss, hemolytic anaemias, and recovery from the suppression of bone marrow.
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