retikulotsüütideks

Retikulotsüütideks, also known as reticulocytes, are immature red blood cells. They are produced in the bone marrow and are released into the bloodstream before they fully mature into erythrocytes. Reticulocytes contain remnants of ribosomal RNA, which gives them a characteristic reticular or net-like appearance when stained with specific dyes. This reticular network is a hallmark that distinguishes them from mature red blood cells.

The presence and number of reticulocytes in the peripheral blood are important indicators of bone marrow activity. A high reticulocyte count, known as reticulocytosis, suggests that the bone marrow is actively producing new red blood cells, often in response to blood loss (hemorrhage), increased red blood cell destruction (hemolysis), or iron deficiency anemia where the marrow is trying to compensate. Conversely, a low reticulocyte count can indicate inadequate red blood cell production by the bone marrow, which might be due to bone marrow failure, chronic kidney disease affecting erythropoietin production, or certain nutritional deficiencies.

Doctors use the reticulocyte count as part of a complete blood count (CBC) to diagnose and monitor various hematological conditions. The maturation time for a reticulocyte to become a mature red blood cell is typically one to two days. The reticulocyte production index (RPI) is a calculation that corrects the reticulocyte count for the degree of anemia and the shortened red blood cell survival, providing a more accurate assessment of bone marrow's response.