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Analysis of reticulocytes in the blood
Definition of reticulocytes
The reticulocytes are from young immature red blood cells, who have just been released in the blood circulation after their production by the bone marrow.
Their development to the stage of mature red blood cells (red blood cell) lasts almost three days in the bone marrow and a little more than a day after migration into the blood.
The number of reticulocytes in the blood reflects the activity of erythropoiesis, that is, the production of red blood cells.
Why do a reticulocyte analysis?
The reticulocyte count, that is to say the evaluation of the number of reticulocytes in the blood, is used for the diagnosis of anemia, but also for the evaluation of the response to the treatments of aplastic patients (whose bone marrow is functioning little or more) or who have had a bone marrow transplant. This test can also be useful in other situations, for example in the case of toxic treatments for the bone marrow, or to check for the presence of “hidden” bleeding.
The number of reticulocytes in fact increases when the bone marrow tries to “regenerate” the stock of red blood cells, for example in the event of anemia or after a hemorrhage.
What results can we expect from a reticulocyte analysis?
The reticulocyte count is taken from a blood sample. No preparation is necessary.
It can be done “manually” under a microscope on a blood smear, after staining the cells with methylene blue. Today, however, reticulocytes are most often counted by machines using flow cytometry.
What results can we expect from a reticulocyte analysis?
The number of reticulocytes is expressed as a percentage of the total number of red blood cells and as an absolute value.
As an indication, the normal value in percentage is between 0,4 and 2,5% (or 5 to 15% depending on the sources), and in absolute number between 20 and 120g / L.
The increase in the number of reticulocytes in the blood can have several causes:
- acute bleeding
- haemolysis (too rapid destruction of red blood cells) causing anemia
- regeneration of the bone marrow, for example after a transplant
- taking certain treatments (erythropoietin)
- respiratory disease, causing insufficient oxygen (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, for example)
Conversely, the decrease in the number of reiculocytes (reticulopenia) may be linked, among other things, to:
- anemia related to infection, tumor
- a deficiency in iron, vitamin B12, folic acid
- kidney failure
- myelodysplastic syndrome
Read also : All about anemia Our sheet on bleeding Learn more about kidney disease |