Test Details
Methodology
Automated cell counter
Result Turnaround Time
Within 1 day
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Test Includes
Reticulocytes are expressed as a percentage in a total of 1000 RBCs.
Use
Evaluate erythropoietic activity which is increased in acute and chronic hemorrhage, and hemolytic anemias; evaluate erythropoietic response to antianemic therapy
Limitations
Caution should be exercised with recently transfused patients (reticulocytes may decrease on a dilutional basis due to transfusion).
Contraindications
Custom Additional Information
Reticulocytes stained with a fluorescent reagent can be differentiated from mature red cells and other cell populations by light scatter, direct measurements, and opacity characteristics when using an automated hematology analyzer equipped with reticulocyte counting technology.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Whole blood
Volume
Tube fill capacity
Minimum Volume
500 μL for Microtainer™ (capillary) specimens (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)
Container
Lavender-top (EDTA) tube
Collection Instructions
Invert tube immediately 8 to 10 times once tube is filled at time of collection.
Stability Requirements
Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
Room temperature | 1 day |
Refrigerated | 3 days |
Frozen | Unstable |
Freeze/thaw cycles | Unstable |
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate
Causes for Rejection
Hemolysis; specimen more than 72 hours old; clotted specimen; tube not filled with minimum volume; improper labeling; transfer tubes with whole blood; specimen diluted or contaminated with I.V. fluid; specimen drawn in any anticoagulant other than EDTA; specimen received with plasma removed
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 005280 | Reticulocyte Count | 17849-1 | 005280 | Reticulocyte Count | % | 17849-1 |
| Order Code | 005280 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Reticulocyte Count | |||||
| Order Loinc | 17849-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 005280 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Reticulocyte Count | |||||
| UofM | % | |||||
| Result LOINC | 17849-1 |