A reticulocyte count is a blood test that measures the number of young red blood cells, called reticulocytes, in your bloodstream. Reticulocytes are produced by the bone marrow and are released into the blood to replace old or damaged red blood cells.
The reticulocyte count can be used to determine whether the bone marrow is producing enough red blood cells. It is often used to diagnose and monitor anemia, a condition in which there are not enough red blood cells in the blood. It can also be used to monitor the response to treatment for anemia.
The results of the reticulocyte count are usually reported as a percentage of the total number of red blood cells. Normal values range from 0.5% to 1.5%. A high reticulocyte count indicates that the bone marrow is producing more red blood cells than normal, while a low count may indicate a problem with the bone marrow or a condition that is causing the destruction of red blood cells.
