RETIC COUNT

Message

Hematology

Test Code

LAB296

Alias/See Also

Reticulocyte
Retic-Hemoglobin

CPT Codes
85046

Includes

Retic Abs
Retic %
Immature Retic Fraction (IRF%)
Reticulocyte Hemoglobin Content (Ret-He)

Preferred Specimen

2.5 mL whole blood (lavender top tube, EDTA)

May combine collection with CBC order

Minimum Volume

0.6 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Microtainer fingerstick/heelstick (neonates)

Instructions

**Testing must be completed within 24 hours of collection.

Transport Temperature

Never place whole blood on ice or transport frozen.

Specimen Stability

Room Temp 24 hours
Refrigerated 48 hours
Allow refrigerated samples to come to room temperature and mix well before analysis.

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Hemolyzed
Contaminated
Clotted
QNS

Methodology
The analyzer performs hematology analysis according to the hydrodynamic focusing (DC Detection), flow cytometry method (semiconductor laser), and SLS-hemoglobin method. The reticulocytes (RET) are all evaluated using flow cytometry with a semiconductor laser exploiting the differences in cell size, complexity, and RNA / DNA content

Report Available

Same day

Limitations

Severely hemolyzed samples (in vitro) falsely decrease RBC and hematocrit. Recollect hemolyzed specimens.
Severely icteric samples may falsely elevate the HGB value and related indices.
Extremely elevated WBC counts may cause turbidity and falsely increase the hemoglobin, RBC and HCT values.

Reference Range

Retic: 0.9-1.9%
IRF: 2.30-13.40
RET-HE: 29-37pg

Clinical Significance

Ret-He is a sensitive early indicator of iron deficiency that assesses the amount of iron available to make hemoglobin and support erythropoiesis. Low Ret-He indicates actual/functional iron deficiency and provides information as reliable as iron profiles.

Performing Laboratory
HHN / HHI Laboratory

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.