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Test ID: Manual Retic
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Manual Reticulocyte Stain
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Useful For
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Reticulocyte count (index) is an important indicator for red cell production by the bone marrow and thus useful for diagnosis of anemia (i.e: hemolytic anemia, megaloblastic anemia, etc) and other hematologic conditions. It is also useful to monitor treatment response after therapy is started for certain types of anemia.
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Method name and description
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Supravital stain is used to stain remnants of RNA in the cytoplasm of young RBCs (reticulocytes). The number of reticulocytes in 1000 RBCs is determined and reported as absolute count and percentage.
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Clinical information
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Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells (RBC) that have been released into the peripheral blood from the bone marrow after extrusion of their nucleus. The reticulocyte contains residual ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) used in the formation of hemoglobin in the developing erythroblasts.The number of reticulocytes in the peripheral circulation is a fairly an accurate reflection of erythropoietic activity in the bone marrow. Increased reticulocyte count occurs in compensated anemias, hemolysis, bleeding, etc., while decreased retic count (inappropriate reticulocyte response to the degree of anemia) may be encountered in a variety of condition including megaloblastic anemia, bone marrow failure syndrome (i.e: aplastic anemia), among other causes.
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Specimen type / Specimen volume / Specimen container
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Whole blood.
Container/Tube: EDTA.
Specimen Volume: 3-4 ml (may be part of CBC)
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Collection instructions / Special Precautions / Timing of collection
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It is recommended to perform the test within 6 hours after collection of blood specimen.
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Relevant clinical information to be provided
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Storage and transport instructions
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Transport at ambient temperature (within 6 hrs) or refrigerated (within 24 hrs).Specimen should not expose to extremely hot or cold weather, as this will impact the specimen integrity.
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Specimen Rejection Criteria
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Insufficient quantity of blood (<1ml in macrotubes & <0.5ml in microtubes.)
Errors in patient identification.
Delayed (old) specimen.
Clotted specimen/hemolyzed sample.
Wrong/unlabeled collection container
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Biological reference intervals and clinical decision values
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Day 0 - 2 |
Day 2 - 6 |
Day 6 - 13 |
Day 13 - 30 |
Day 30 - 60 |
Day 60 - 90 |
3 - 6months |
6 months - 2 years |
2 - 6 years |
6 - 12 years |
Adults |
| Retic x10^6/ul |
120 - 400 |
50 - 350 |
50 - 100 |
50 - 100 |
20 - 60 |
30 - 50 |
40 - 100 |
30 - 100 |
30 - 100 |
30 - 100 |
50 - 100 |
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Note:
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Ranges are derived from Dacie and Lewis Practical Haematology, Twelfth Edition by Barbara J. Bain, Imelda Bates, Michael A. Laffan, Elsevier.
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Adult Reticulocyte Percentage: 0.5 -2.5% |
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Factors affecting test performance and result interpretation
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Reticulocyte count begins to fall within 6 hours if sample is kept at room temperature.
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Turnaround time / Days and times test performed / Specimen retention time
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4 hours
Test is performed daily, 24/7
Normal slides are retained for 1 month. Abnormal cases are retained for longer time according to space availability.
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