Retic Count Test

Retic count helps to tell if a person’s bone marrow is producing enough blood cells. It measures how many of these immature RBC’s are in the bloodstream. Reticulocytes are immature blood cells made in the bone marrow and released in the bloodstream. If a person’s red blood cell count is too low or too high, the body tries to achieve a better balance by producing and releasing more or less reticulocytes. A retic count helps a doctor to diagnose a variety of conditions such as anemia and bone marrow failure. It also helps to monitor progress and health after a person undergoes chemotherapy, radiation therapy, a bone marrow transplant, a treatment for iron deficiency anemia.

No special preparation is needed. It is, however, advisable to wear a T- shirt or short sleeved shirt to make things easier for the technician drawing blood. Any blood transfusion in past 3 months can affect the retic count, therefore, information regarding the same should be given to the doctor.

As mentioned above, a retic count will determine the percentage or the number of reticulocytes in the blood to evaluate conditions affecting RBC’s like anemia or any blood marrow dysfunction. Several other tests are used in conjunction with retic count to further evaluate the condition. It can be concluded from the tests reports in conjunction with results of other tests that- A high reticulocytes count with low RBCs, low hemoglobin and low hematocrit indicates bleeding, hemorrhage, chronic blood loss, hemolytic anemia which is caused by destruction of RBCs, Hemolytic disease of the newborn. A high retic count and high RBC indicates overproduction of RBCs indicates Polycythemia vera and tumor that produces excess erythropoietin. A low retic count with low RBCs, low hemoglobin, low hematocrit may indicate anemia, severe kidney disease, bone marrow failure, alcoholism, endocrine disease. A retic count only gives indication of the presence of a disease or condition but does not directly diagnose a particular disease. It just shows that a further investigation is required.

Firstly, the skin is cleaned with antiseptic and a tourniquet is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and cause veins to swell with blood. A needle is inserted in the vein and blood is withdrawn and collected in a syringe. The blood the is saved in a vessel and sealed with your name. The sample is carried to the research laboratory for examination.