
Reticulocyte Relative

RTIC REL
Description
"Reticulocyte Hemoglobin" test measures the amount of hemoglobin in newly produced red blood cells to evaluate how well your body is using iron. It’s especially useful for detecting early iron deficiency or assessing treatment effectiveness for anemia. Low levels suggest insufficient iron availability, even before anemia develops. Doctors use this test to adjust supplements, monitor response to therapy, or investigate unexplained fatigue. Ongoing monitoring helps maintain healthy hemoglobin levels and supports efficient red blood cell formation.
Test Category
Blood Cells
Procedure
Invasive
Sample Type
Blood – Whole Blood
Units
Percentage
Procedure Category
Blood Draw
Test Group
Hematology Group, Blood Count Complementary Group
Test Group Description
Blood Count Complementary Group: This set of tests supplements basic blood count assessments, providing additional information to further characterize blood cell composition and identify potential abnormalities. Hematology Group: Tests within this group focus on evaluating various aspects of blood health and function. These assessments provide insights into red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other components of the blood.
Optimal Range
For All Individuals:
Conventional Unit: Not Available
SI Unit: Not Available
Normal Range
For All Individuals:
Conventional Unit: 20.0–115.0 ×10⁹/L
SI Unit: 20.0–115.0 ×10⁹/L
Results That Differ From The Norm (Direct and Indirect Causes)
Increased levels may indicate:
Acute blood loss
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (Immune system attacks and destroys red blood cells)
Chemotherapy (Treatment with drugs to kill cancer cells)
Erythropoietin administration (Administration of erythropoietin hormone)
Hemolytic anemia (Increased breakdown of red blood cells)
Hemo...
Key Reasons For Testing
Bone Marrow Function: Reflects red blood cell production and turnover, indicating bone marrow activity.
Anemia Evaluation: Differentiates types of anemia by assessing bone marrow response.
Treatment Response: Tracks bone marrow reaction to therapies like erythropoiesis-stimulating agents or anemia treatments.
Hemolytic Anemia Diagnosis: Indicates increased red blood cell turnover in hemolytic conditions.
Health Status Conditions It May Be Used To Assess
Currently, this test is not directly associated with any conditions listed on the Health Status page. However, it may be included as part of a broader set of tests linked to specific health conditions.
Some Prominent Medical Labs That May Offer This Test
Please note that this particular test has not been associated with any of the listed prominent medical labs. We recommend enquiring with your private physician or nearest hospital to determine where this specific test can be performed.
References
Important Note
Any medical procedure yielding results outside the norm may be directly or indirectly linked to the conditions outlined on this page. Various factors, including genetics, medication and supplement usage, recent illnesses, pregnancy, pre-test eating, smoking, and stress, can impact the test's outcome. Additionally, factors like false positives, false negatives, inaccurate analyses, and others can influence results.
Reference ranges, which help healthcare professionals interpret medical tests, may vary depending on age, gender, and other factors. They may also differ between laboratories due to variations in instruments and methods used. Optimal ranges are designed for preventive purposes, aiming to identify trends and potential risks early, while normal ranges reflect conventional laboratory values indicating no current disease or pathology. Your healthcare practitioner may have specific reasons for testing that deviate from the usual or may interpret results differently based on individual circumstances. Proper interpretation typically involves considering clinical findings and other diagnostic tests. Hence, it is crucial to provide your healthcare professionals with a comprehensive medical history, consult with them for result interpretation, and follow their guidance for potential re-testing or additional diagnostics.
Disclaimer
This content is provided solely for informative and educational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. Regarding the interpretation of their medical test results and/or specific health questions, it is recommended that all readers and viewers consult their physicians or other qualified health professionals. The publisher is not responsible for any adverse health effects that may result from reading or following the information in this educational content. Before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program, all viewers, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physician or health care practitioner.
Please note that while prominent lab names are included in this content, we cannot guarantee that these labs offer all the tests mentioned. For confirmation, individuals should contact the labs directly or consult their medical practitioners. The information provided reflects general knowledge at the time of publication and may not include recent updates or emerging research. Readers should verify details with qualified professionals to ensure the most up-to-date and accurate guidance.
[1] Bessman JD, Gilmer PR Jr, Gardner FH. Improved classification of anemias by MCV and RDW. Am J Clin Pathol. 1983;80(3):322-326.
[2] Bain BJ. Bone marrow biopsy: indications and interpretation. Clin Hematol. 2005;18(4):741-756.
[3] Hoffbrand AV, Moss PAH. Essential Haematology. 7th ed. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell; 2016.
[4] McKenzie SB. Clinical Laboratory Hematology. 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson; 2010.
[5] Briggs C, Culp N, Davis BH. Reticulocyte counting and interpretation in anemia diagnostics. Am J Hematol. 2012;87(2):115-123.
[6] Mast AE, Blinder MA, Lu Q, et al. Reticulocyte hemoglobin content as a diagnostic tool for iron deficiency. Am J Hematol. 2002;72(2):139-143.
[7] Wickramasinghe SN. Diagnostic applications of reticulocyte indices in the clinical evaluation of erythropoiesis. Br J Haematol. 2006;133(3):292-304.
[8] Ullrich C, Wu A, Armsby C, et al. Reticulocyte indices in the evaluation of anemia in children. JAMA. 2005;293(8):927-935.
[9] Brugnara C. Reticulocyte counts in the diagnosis and monitoring of hematologic conditions. Curr Opin Hematol. 2013;20(3):172-177.
[10] Munoz M, Gomez-Ramirez S, Campos A, et al. Reticulocyte indices in the diagnosis of functional iron deficiency. Clin Lab Haematol. 2017;39(4):392-400.
[11] Thomas L, Thomas C. The clinical utility of reticulocyte indices in erythropoiesis assessment. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2002;40(12):1233-1237.
[12] Weatherall DJ, Clegg JB. The Thalassemia Syndromes. 4th ed. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Science; 2001.
[13] Patel KV, Ferrucci L, Ershler WB, Longo DL, Guralnik JM. Red blood cell indices and their role in evaluating erythropoietic activity. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(6):515-523.