Retikulocytalitet

Retikulocytalitet refers to the measurement of reticulocytes in a blood sample. Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells that are released from the bone marrow into the bloodstream. They are characterized by the presence of residual ribosomal RNA, which gives them a reticular or net-like appearance under a microscope after staining. The process of their maturation into erythrocytes, or mature red blood cells, typically takes about one to two days.

The reticulocyte count is a valuable diagnostic tool used in hematology. It provides important information about the bone marrow's ability to produce red blood cells. A high reticulocyte count, known as reticulocytosis, often indicates that the bone marrow is responding appropriately to a need for more red blood cells, such as in cases of blood loss or hemolytic anemia where red blood cells are being destroyed prematurely. Conversely, a low reticulocyte count, or reticulocytopenia, can suggest that the bone marrow is not producing enough red blood cells, which might be due to bone marrow failure, certain types of anemia like aplastic anemia or iron deficiency anemia, or other underlying medical conditions.

The reticulocyte count is typically expressed as a percentage of the total red blood cell count. Automated hematology analyzers can perform this count accurately, but manual microscopic examination is also a common method. The interpretation of the reticulocyte count is often done in conjunction with other blood tests, such as the hemoglobin level and red blood cell morphology, to provide a comprehensive picture of a patient's hematological status.