Description
The Reticulocyte count can detect if anemia is actually caused by insufficient red blood cells. The test is also used to monitor anemia.Test is used in evaluating erythropoietic activity.
Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells (RBCs). In the process of red blood cell formation, reticulocytes develop and mature in the bone marrow and then flow around for about a day in the blood stream before growing into mature red blood cells. Reticulocytes can be differentiated from other circulating cells because they release a signal that is neither strong (like lymphocytes) nor weak (like red blood cells).
The number of reticulocytes is a good indicator of bone marrow activity because it represents latest production and allows for the determination of reticulocyte count and the reticulocyte production index. These values is used to determine whether a production problem is contributing to the anemia and can be also used to monitor the progress of treatment for anemia.
Anemia is a condition when a person has a low amount of red blood cells associated with low hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen and take it throughout the body. When hemoglobin is low the tissues or organs may not get enough oxygen-rich blood for normal functionality.
Anemia is the most common blood disorder and it can be related with various factors including poor diet, heavy bleeding, pregnancy in women, intestinal disorders, chronic conditions like autoimmune, liver or kidney disease.
