What is the number of reticulocytes?
The number of reticulocytes is a type of blood test that evaluates the function of the bone marrow and at what speed of blood production. It is also performed to assess the body's response in the treatment of some blood disorders such as anemia. Reticulocytes are young or immature red blood cells, which usually occur in circulation in very small quantities, approximately one to two percent. It is produced in the bone marrow and releases in circulation. After about one or two days, they mature into red blood cells that have a lifetime of approximately 120 days in circulation.
Increase or decrease in the number or percentage of reticulocytes in the blood may indicate a series of disorders inside the body. The term used for the high number of reticulocytes is reticulocytosis. Reticulocytosis often shows that bone marrow produces more red blood cells (RBC) in response to RBC decreased in the circulatory system. This could be due to blood loss, RBC destruction in anemia or exposure to high altitude. Individuals living in areas with highThe altitude often has a higher number of reticulocytes as a way to adapt to low oxygen levels.
Reducing the number of reticulocytes often suggests bone marrow failure to produce new red blood cells, as in the case of tumors and infections that occur in the bone marrow. Kidney disease can also reduce the number of reticulocytes and the number of red blood cells. Other causes of the low number of reticulocytes include iron deficiency, lack of folate and lack of vitamin B12. Radiation therapy also often affects RBC production in many patients because it suppresses bone marrow function.
Doctors usually require the number of reticulocytes and complete blood counts (CBC) to evaluate the body's reaction in the treatment of iron deficiency and vitamin B12 anemia. After the bone marrow transplantationThe number of reticulocytes also a sign of successful transplantation.
There are no special preparations for the test of the number of reticulocytes. The phlebotomist extracts the amount of blood from the patient's shoulder to be tested. The blood is then processed in the laboratory for the number of reticulocytes and is either read by hand -qualified laboratory staff or automated method.