Reticulocyte Count

Red blood cells or RBCs are the type of blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the different parts of the body with the help of an iron-containing pigment called hemoglobin. RBCs are produced from the hematopoietic stem cells (stem cells which form blood cells). These stem cells differentiate to produce reticulocytes, which are released into the circulation where they eventually form RBCs. The nuclei of the hematopoietic cells degenerate during their differentiation and maturation into RBCs. The mature RBCs have no genetic material but the reticulocytes which are immature RBCs contain some genetic material in the form of RNA.

The lifespan of a RBC in circulation is 120 days. Under normal conditions, RBCs lost due to degradation after their lifespan or through bleeding are constantly replaced by the bone marrow to maintain RBC count in blood within a stable range.

The RBC count may be affected due to a number of conditions like hemolysis, heavy bleeding, diseases of the bone marrow, liver, or kidneys as well as treatment procedures like chemotherapy. This also affects the reticulocyte count.

The Reticulocyte Count Test measures the number and percentage of reticulocytes available in circulation. This helps to determine the ability of the bone marrow to supply the necessary amount of RBCs required by the body normally as well as in response to RBC loss due to bleeding. It also helps to diagnose conditions affecting the RBCs as well as those affecting the bone marrow and causing abnormal RBC production.