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Reticulocyte Count, Automated
MessagePerforming Lab: Central Lab, Lakeview, Regions
Test Code
3108
Alias/See Also
Sunquest: RETC
CPT Codes
85045
Includes
Reticulocyte (%); Reticulocyte (Absolute)
Preferred Specimen
4.0 mL EDTA Whole Blood (lavender-top) tube
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
EDTA microtainer
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Specimen Stability
Refrigerated: 48 hours
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Frozen, Clotted, Grossly hemolyzed
Methodology
Flow cytometry with a semiconductor laser to determine cell size, complexity and RNA/DNA content
Setup Schedule
Hospital: Daily
Clinics: Monday - Friday
Clinics: Monday - Friday
Report Available
Same Day
Reference Range
Reticulocyte (%)
>6 months: 0.6 - 1.9%
4 days - 6 months: 1.3 - 2.7%
0 - 3 days: 4.3 - 8.3%
Reticulocyte (Absolute)
>18 years: 0.03 - 0.06 M/uL
4 days - 18 years: No reference range established
0 - 3 days: 0.15 - 0.22 M/Ul
>6 months: 0.6 - 1.9%
4 days - 6 months: 1.3 - 2.7%
0 - 3 days: 4.3 - 8.3%
Reticulocyte (Absolute)
>18 years: 0.03 - 0.06 M/uL
4 days - 18 years: No reference range established
0 - 3 days: 0.15 - 0.22 M/Ul
Clinical Significance
The reticulocyte stage begins with the extrusion of the normoblast nucleus and ends with the loss of cytoplasm organelles. Reticulocytes are released from the bone marrow and circulate for 1-2 days before becoming mature red blood cells. The reticulocyte count rises when there is a lot of blood loss or in certain diseases in which red blood cells are destroyed prematurely.4.3 – 8.3%
