Reticulocyte Count

This test checks for reticulocyte percentage in blood. A high reticulocyte percentage can be due to things like anaemia and a low reticulocyte percentage can be due to bone marrow disorders or kidney disease.

Reticulocytes are a type of immature red blood cells that are newly produced in the bone marrow. In a normal blood differential count, which is a test to look at that different types of cells in the blood, there are very few reticulocytes compared to mature red blood cells. This test measures the amount of reticulocytes in the blood which can help in the diagnosis of disorders that affect red blood cells as well as the bone marrow. A high reticulocyte percentage can be due to things like anaemia and a low reticulocyte percentage can be due to bone marrow disorders or kidney disease.

This test is performed in following conditions such as:

• Abnormal CBC results
• Suspected bone marrow dysfunction
• Signs and symptoms of anemia or chronic bleeding
• Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency
• Kidney disease
• Radiation or chemotherapy
• A person has received a bone marrow transplant

Also Known As: Retic