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The problem arises because the reticulocyte count is not really a count but rather a percentage: it reports the number of reticulocytes as a percentage of the number of red blood cells. In anemia, the patient's red blood cells are depleted, creating an erroneously elevated reticulocyte count. [1]
A reticulocyte percentage that is higher than "normal" can be a sign of anemia, but this depends on the health of a person's bone marrow. Calculating the reticulocyte production index is an important step in understanding whether or not the reticulocyte count is appropriate to the situation. This is often a more important question than whether ...
Reticulocytosis is a laboratory finding in which the number of reticulocytes (immature red blood cells) in the bloodstream is elevated. Reticulocytes account for approximately 0.5% to 2.5% of the total red blood cells in healthy adults and 2% to 6% in infants, but in reticulocytosis, this percentage rises. [1]
If a low count of reticulocytes is found, it usually indicates bone marrow stress. If a high reticulocyte count is found, it is usually linked to hemolysis, but a Coombs test may be performed in this case to rule out immune-mediated hemolysis. [4] Polychromasia can also be seen in blood smears when there is a normal reticulocyte count.
The reticulocyte production index (RPI) or corrected reticulocyte count (CRC) represents the true significance of the absolute reticulocyte count to provide some reflection of erythropoietic demand and supply. The immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF) goes a step further to cast more light on the same question. [citation needed]
A reticulocyte count that is high, normal or low will aid with the classification process. A high reticulocyte count signifies that bone marrow processes are normal. A low reticulocyte count would signify there is a problem at the level of the bone marrow, which produce the stem cells. Acute blood loss would result in a high reticulocyte count ...
The reticulocyte production index is a calculation of the ratio between the level of anemia and the extent to which the reticulocyte count has risen in response. If the degree of anemia is significant, even a "normal" reticulocyte count actually may reflect an inadequate response.
A complete blood count (CBC) may show increased reticulocytes, a sign of increased red blood cell production, and decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit. The term "non-hereditary spherocytosis" is occasionally used, albeit rarely. [2] Lists of causes: [3] Warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia; Cold autoimmune hemolytic anemia/paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria