Reticulocytes | Laboratory research

Reticulocytes are immature young erythrocytes that arise as a result of the loss of the nucleus of normoblasts. Maturation time is 4-5 days, of which 3 days this process takes place in the peripheral blood. The number of reticulocytes reflects the ongoing regenerative processes in the bone marrow.

When should we test for reticulocytes?

It is recommended to take the test:

Determination of reticulocyte count is important to detect the presence of disease and / or to monitor the treatment process, although no specific disease is diagnosed. Further research is needed. If the number of reticulocytes increases after chemotherapy, bone marrow transplantation, or treatment for iron or vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, it means that red blood cells are starting to form in the bone marrow.

How to prepare for the test?

It is not necessary to be fasting to conduct research.

Research material

Venous blood

Possible interpretation of the results

The increased number of reticulocytes in the blood may be due to the following factors;

• Acute posthemorrhagic anemia;
• Hemolytic anemia (especially during crisis);
• Further treatment of anemia caused by vitamin B 12 deficiency, remission of hypoplastic anemia;
• Bleeding, (if the patient has bleeding, then the number of reticulocytes will increase after a few days);
• Chronic bleeding;
• Hemolytic anemia and hemolytic disease of the newborn.

Decreased levels of reticulocytes in the blood can be due to the following factors:

• Reducing the intensity of blood production;
• Aplastic and iron deficiency anemias;
• Anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency;
• Receiving cytostatics;
• Radiation and radiation therapy;
• Kidney damage;
• Pernicious anemia;
• Various types of bone marrow damage or failure that can be caused by infection and / or cancer;
• Alcoholism;
• Endocrine diseases.