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Test ID RTIC Reticulocytes, Blood

Reporting Name

Reticulocytes, B

Useful For

Assessing erythropoietic bone marrow activity in anemia and other hematologic conditions

Specimen Type

Whole Blood EDTA


Necessary Information


Specimen must arrive within 48 hours of draw.



Specimen Required


Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)

Specimen Volume: 3 mL


Specimen Minimum Volume

1.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Whole Blood EDTA Refrigerated (preferred) 48 hours
  Ambient  24 hours

Reference Values

% RETICULOCYTES

1-3 days: 3.47-5.40%

4 days-4 weeks: 1.06-2.37%

5 weeks-7 weeks: 2.12-3.47%

8 weeks-5 months: 1.55-2.70%

6 months-23 months: 0.99-1.82%

24 months-5 years: 0.82-1.45%

6-11 years: 0.98-1.94%

12-17 years: 0.90-1.49%

Adults: 0.60-2.71%

 

ABSOLUTE RETICULOCYTES

1-3 days: 147.5-216.4 x 10(9)/L

4 days-4 weeks: 51.3-110.4 x 10(9)/L

5 weeks-7 weeks: 51.8-77.9 x 10(9)/L

8 weeks-5 months: 48.2-88.2 x 10(9)/L

6 months-23 months: 43.5-111.1 x 10(9)/L

24 months-5 years: 36.4-68.0 x 10(9)/L

6-11 years: 42.4-70.2 x 10(9)/L

12-17 years: 41.6-65.1 x 10(9)/L

Adults: 30.4-110.9 x 10(9)/L

Day(s) and Time(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday; Continuously

Test Classification

This test has been cleared, approved or is exempt by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information

85045

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
RTIC Reticulocytes, B 50262-5

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
PRTIC Reticulocytes, B 17849-1
ARTIC Absolute Reticulocyte 60474-4

Clinical Information

Reticulocytes are immature erythrocytes (RBC) that have been released into the peripheral blood from the bone marrow after extrusion of their nucleus. The reticulocyte contains residual polyribosomes used in the formation of hemoglobin in the developing erythrocyte.

Interpretation

The reticulocyte count is a measure of the number of RBCs delivered by the bone marrow. It is elevated with active erythropoiesis such as regeneration, and is decreased in hypoplastic or deficiency conditions such as vitamin B12 deficiency.

Clinical Reference

1. Adeli K, Raizman J, Chen Y, et al: Complex biological profile of hematologic markers across pediatric, adult, and geriatric ages: establishment of robust pediatric and adult reference intervals on the basis of the Canadian Health Measures Survey. Clin Chem 2015 Aug;61(8):1075-1086

2. CLSI. Defining, Establishing, and Verifying Reference Intervals in the Clinical Laboratory; Approved Guideline, Third Edition. CLSI document EP28-A3c. Wayne, PA, Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, 2008

3. Soldin J, Brugnara C, Wong EC: Pediatric Reference Intervals. Fifth edition. AACC Press. Washington DC 2005. ISBN 1-594250-32-4

4. Clinical Hematology: Principles, procedures, correlations. Second edition. Edited by CA Lotspeich-Steininger, EA Stiene-Martin, JA Koepke. Philadelphia, Lippincott-Raven, 1998, pp 114-117

Analytic Time

1 day

Method Name

Flow Cytometry

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Benign Hematology Test Request Form (T755) with the specimen.