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Test ID RTIC Reticulocytes, Blood


Necessary Information


Specimen must arrive within 48 hours of draw.



Specimen Required


Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)

Specimen Volume: 3 mL


Forms

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

Secondary ID

9108

Useful For

Assessing erythropoietic bone marrow activity in anemia and other hematologic conditions

Method Name

Flow Cytometry

Reporting Name

Reticulocytes, B

Specimen Type

Whole Blood EDTA

Specimen Minimum Volume

1.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

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

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.

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

Cautions

Reticulocyte counts must be carefully correlated with other clinical and laboratory findings.

 

Clotted specimens yield unreliable results and are unacceptable for analysis.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

Report Available

1 day

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US 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

NY State Approved

Yes