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A reticulocyte count measures the percentage of reticulocytes (slightly immature red blood cells) in the blood.
How the test is performedBlood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.
Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.
The blood sample is sent to a laboratory. A special stain is used to identify the reticulocytes.
How to prepare for the testNo special preparation is necessary.
How the test will feelWhen the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the test is performedThe 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 ValuesThe normal range depends on the level of hemoglobin, and the range is higher if there is low hemoglobin due to bleeding or red cell destruction.
What abnormal results meanA higher-than-normal percentage of reticulocytes may indicate:
- Bleeding
- Erythroblastosis fetalis
- Hemolytic anemia
- Kidney diseasewith increased erythropoietinproduction
A lower-than-normal percentage of reticulocytes may indicate:
- Bone marrow failure (for example, from drug toxicity, tumor, or infection)
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Folate deficiency
- Iron deficiency
- Kidney disease with decreased erythropoietin production
- Radiation therapy
- Vitamin B-12deficiency
Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:
- Anemia of chronic disease
- Congenital spherocytic anemia
- Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia
- Hemolytic anemia due to G6PD deficiency
- Idiopathic aplastic anemia
- Idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia
- Immune hemolytic anemia
- Pernicious anemia
- Secondary aplastic anemia
There is very little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient 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 light-headed
- Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
The reticulocyte count may be increased during pregnancy.
ReferencesZuckerman K. Approach to the anemias. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 162.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoA reticulocyte count measures the percentage of reticulocytes (slightly immature red blood cells) in the blood.
How the test is performedA blood sample is needed. For information on how this is done, see: Venipuncture
How to prepare for the testNo special preparation is necessary.
How the test will feelWhen the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the test is performedThe 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 ValuesThe normal range depends on the level of hemoglobin, and the range is higher if there is low hemoglobin due to bleeding or red cell destruction.
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results meanA higher than normal percentage of reticulocytes may indicate:
- Bleeding
- Erythroblastosis fetalis
- Hemolytic anemia
- Kidney disease with increased erythropoietinproduction
A lower than normal percentage of reticulocytes may indicate:
- Bone marrow failure (for example, from drug toxicity, tumor, or infection)
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Folate deficiency
- Iron deficiency
- Kidney diseasewith decreased erythropoietin production
- Radiation therapy
- Vitamin B12deficiency
Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:
- Anemia of chronic disease
- Congenital spherocytic anemia
- Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia
- Hemolytic anemia due to G6PD deficiency
- Idiopathic aplastic anemia
- Idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia
- Immune hemolytic anemia
- Pernicious anemia
- Secondary aplastic anemia
There is very little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient 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 light-headed
- Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
The reticulocyte count may be increased during pregnancy.
ReferencesZuckerman K. Approach to the anemias. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 162.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 02/09/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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Is a 30000 white blood count bad what does it mean?
A white blood cell count of 30,000 is way too high. A normal count is between 4,000 and 10,000. Your doctor will likely run more tests to determine why your count is so high.
On a recent blood test for my liver my LDH count was 128 and my GGTP count was 87 what does that mean?
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What is a High biliruben count?
The normal bilirubin count in an adult should be 0.0 mg/dL to 1.4 mg/dL. If you have a high count, it can be caused by an infection, Gilbert's syndrome, hepatitis, and cancer of the pancreas.
What does a high absolute grans count indicate?
A high absolute grans count indicates a variety of things from cancer, kidney failure, infections, heart attacks and also low white blood cell count.
The count function can only be used with numeric data?
The Count Function can only be used with numeric data. true or false
What is a reticulocyte count?
A reticulocyte count is a blood test performed to assess the body's production of immature red blood cells (reticulocytes).
What does a reticulocyte count measure?
An erythroblast that has lost it's nucleus is a reticulocyte, they account for 80% of RBC's in circulation. That is what it is measuring, the amount of these cells in circulation. higher count= reticulocytosis lower count= Anemia
What tube color is used for reticulocyte count?
light blue
What is a normal Reticulocyte Count in sickle cell patients?
85
What would a reticulocyte count indicate if not within the normal values?
Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells. The reticulocyte count is most useful if you have anemia (low red blood cell count). A low reticulocyte count means your body is not making enough red blood cells in the first place. There may be a problem with your bone marrow. A high reticulocyte count means you are losing your red blood cells after you make them, maybe because of bleeding or red blood cells that break down too quickly.
What color tube is used to draw blood for a reticulocyte count?
lavender
What is the name of the test procedure that informs the physician about the rate of erythropoiesis?
reticulocyte count
What type of information can the reticulocyte count give?
A reticulocyte count is a blood test that can measure how fast red blood cells are made by the bone marrow and released into the blood. It is given as a percentage of red blood cells that are reticulocytes.
What else is a reticulocyte count called?
usually performed when patients are evaluated for anemia and response to its treatment. It is sometimes called a retic count.
Cigarette smoke produces carbon monoxide If a non smoker smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for a few weeks what would happen to his reticulocyte count?
The reticulocyte increases in person with the smoking history.
How is a reticulocyte count conducted?
The first step in a retic count is drawing the patient's blood sample. About 17 oz (5 ml) of blood is withdrawn from a vein into a vacuum tube.
What does medical code 85045 stand for?
85045 is a CPT Pathology and Laboratory / Hematology and Coagulation test procedure code for: Blood count; automated differential WBC count; reticulocyte, automated.
