Specimen Collection

4 mL EDTA Blood

250 uL Paediatric Micro-EDTA Blood
Reference Intervals
Units: pg

Age Range	Either Sex
All	28.9 - 36.3[1]

[1]

Parameter	UOM
Reticulocyte Haemoglobin equivalent	8%

Turnaround Time: Within 2 hours

45 minutes for urgent specimens.

Diagnostic Use and Interpretation

This is an analyser-derived parameter which reflects the haemoglobin content of the reticulocytes, and is reported with the reticulocyte count. It is equivalent to CHr, also an analyser-derived parameter produced by some Technicon analysers.

Limited published studies suggest that RET-He is useful in distinguish iron deficiency anaemia from anaemia of chronic disease. In iron deficiency anaemia the RET-He is usually <25 pg. In anaemia of chronic disease and reduced tissue iron store without anaemia the RET-He will be low-normal or slightly reduced but usually >25 pg. RET-He has the same sensitivity as serum transferrin receptor in diagnosing iron deficiency anaemia and distinguish the latter from anaemia of chronic disease.

RET-He does not distinguish between iron deficiency anaemia and thalassemia trait, another cause of hypochromic microcytic anaemia. In thalassemia trait the RET-He is low also (<25 pg).

Contact Information

For further information contact the Haematology laboratory (Ext 22067) or:

Dr Anna Ruskova	Ext 22137
Dr Nikhil Rabade	Ext 22071
Dr Nicola Eaddy	Ext 22005
Dr Peter Bradbeer	Ext 22062

Last updated at 13:10:49 11/09/2024