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Test Code Retic Reticulocyte Count

Additional Codes

Cerner

NextGen

Reticulocyte Count

Reticulocyte Count

Alternate Name(s)

Retic

Retic with Absolute Count and IRF

Immature Retic Fraction

Retic Percentage

Immature Red Blood Cells

Useful For

Useful in determining if the bone marrow is responding adequately to the body's need for red blood cells and to help determine the cause of and classify different types of anemia. The reticulocyte count is helpful in the evaluation of the bone marrow's ability to produce red blood cells (RBCs) and to help distinguish between anemia related to blood loss/destruction and anemia related to decreased RBC production. Also monitors bone marrow response and return of normal marrow following chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant or post treatment follow-up for iron deficiency anemia.

Methodology

Sysmex XN: Flow cytometry with a semiconductor laser for retic parameters and hydro dynamic focusing electronic resistance detection for RBC count.

Patient Preparation

None

Collection Instructions

Do not place samples on a mechanical rocker.

Specimen Requirements

Preferred Volume

12 x 75 mm tube EDTA-2K or EDTA-3K Lavender filled to capacity

Minimum Volume
  • 1mL of whole blood in 12 x 75 mm tube EDTA-2K or EDTA-3K Lavender
  • 160 μL of whole blood in microtube EDTA-2K or EDTA-3K Lavender

Container
  • 12 x 75 mm tube EDTA-2K or EDTA-3K Lavender

  • Microtube EDTA-2K or EDTA-3K Lavender

Stability
  • Sample stability at room temperature is 24 hours.
  • Stored at 2-8oC, EDTA blood samples with normal results may be analyzed up to 48 hours

Rejection Criteria
  • Clotted samples or those containing clots, fibrin strands, or platelet clumps.  All specimens will be checked visually for obvious clots prior to sampling by the analyzer.
  • Grossly hemolyzed samples.
  • Samples drawn above an IV line.

Result Reporting and Reference Values

Reported Parameters

Retic # Auto

Retic Pct

RBC

IRF

Reference Ranges

Test

Units

Sex

Age

Reference Range

Retic Pct

%

All

0D-2D

1.4

--

5.2

All

2D-5D

0.8

--

3.9

All

5D-45D

0.3

--

2

M

45D-12Y

0.5

--

2.5

F

45D-12Y

0.5

--

2

All

12Y-150Y

0.5

--

2.5

Retic Pct

 

None Listed

RBC

x106/µL

All

0D-30D

3.8

--

6.4

All

30D-3Y

3.1

--

5.1

All

3Y-10Y

3.8

--

5.1

All

10Y-12Y

3.9

--

5.2

M

12Y-15Y

4.2

--

5.5

M

15Y-150Y

4.4

--

5.8

F

12Y-15Y

4

--

5.4

F

15Y-150Y

3.9

--

5.2

IRF

 

None Listed

 

Critical Ranges

None

Reflex Testing

  • Slide examination of platelets occurs when:
    • RBC
      • Instrument parameter flags indicate abnormal cell populations, requiring a technologist to review slides to verify cell identity and abnormal morphology.
      • Less than 2.5 x 106 cells/µL
      • Greater than 7.5 x 106 cells/µL
    • Abnormal red blood cell quantitations.

  • Abnormal Heme Smear Path Review will be performed for:
    • Unexplained presence of normoblasts during slide examination.
    • Any bizarre cells seen during slide examination.

Limitations

  • Cold agglutinins could produce falsely decreased RBC counts.