Specimen Collection

Specimen Stability

Test	Room Temperature Stability (able to report)	4 o C Stability (able to report)
Reticuloyte (Ret, Retic)	Less than 24-hours	Less than 48-hours
Reticulocyte Haemoglobin Equivalent (Ret HE)	Less than 24-hours	Less than 48-hours

4 mL EDTA Blood

250 uL Paediatric Micro-EDTA Blood
Reference Intervals

Adult : 10 - 100 x E+9/L ( 0.2 - 2.0% )

Cord blood, and up to 2-days of age (inclusive): < 250 x E+9/L ( 2.0 - 6.0 %)

Parameter	UOM
Reticulocyte count	13%

Turnaround Time: Between 45 minutes and 2 hours

• Turnaround time 2 hours for non-urgent specimens, and 45 minutes for urgent specimens.

Diagnostic Use and Interpretation

Reticulocytes are young red cells.

Increased numbers are found in:

• Anaemia due to a peripheral cause such as blood loss or haemolysis.
• After starting haematinic treatment for a patient with a deficiency state (e.g. folate or B12 deficiency).

Reduced numbers are found in:

• bone marrow red cell hypo-regenerative states, including renal failure.

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 15:08:31 12/02/2025