Reticulocytes are young red blood cells recently released from the bone marrow.

The test reflects how actively the bone marrow is producing new red blood cells.

Clinical uses include:

Assessing bone marrow activity in anemia.

Monitoring recovery after blood loss or treatment for anemia.

Evaluating bone marrow response after chemotherapy or bone marrow transplant.

Differentiating between decreased production vs increased destruction of RBCs.

The test is performed using a blood sample, often with automated counters or special stains.

Analyte: Reticulocyte percentage or absolute count in blood.

Normal Range:

Adults: 0.5 – 1.5% of total RBCs

Absolute count: 50,000 – 100,000/µL

High Reticulocyte Count: Suggests increased RBC production (e.g., hemolytic anemia, blood loss recovery).

Low Reticulocyte Count: Suggests reduced RBC production (e.g., aplastic anemia, bone marrow suppression, chronic disease).

Clinical Use:

Detects bone marrow response to anemia.

Helps classify anemia as production-related or destruction-related.

Monitors treatment effectiveness in hematologic conditions.