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Lab Manual for Moffitt-Long and Mount Zion

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Reticulocyte Count

Item Value
Approval req'd? No
Available Stat? No
Test code RET
Performed by Parnassus Hematology
In House Availability Test available 24 hours per day 7 days per week.
Method Flow cytometry
Container type Lavender top
Amount to Collect 3 mL blood
Sample type EDTA whole blood
Preferred volume 3 mL blood
Min. Volume 1 mL blood
Processing notes Do not centrifuge.

When a Reticulocyte Count must be performed manually and an RBC count is not available from a CBC or CBCD on the same sample, order an RBC.
Units x109/L
Normal range
Age Count
≤ 4 days 65-230 x109/L
Males ≥ 18 year old 29.0-121.4 x109/L
Females ≥ 18 year old 25.6-96.9 x109/L
Synonyms Retic count;
Stability Specimens are stable at room temperature for 48 hours, for 72 hours at 4C.
Turn around times Turnaround time 24 hours.
Additional information Manual methods are much less accurate, and give somewhat lower results (reference range: 20-89 x109/L). A manual assay will be performed if required due to sample or fluorescent assay problems.

The manual assay requires a separately ordered and charged RBC count, if one is not available, to calculate the result.
LOINC code 14196-0
Last Updated 2/14/2013 3:28:22 PM
Entry Number 824

If you have additional questions regarding this test, please call: 415-353-1667

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