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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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RETICULOCYTE PANEL

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB3006    Geisinger Epic ID:  39229

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Whole blood


Preferred collection container: 
Alternate collection container: 
Lavender-top (K2 EDTA) microcollection tube
Specimen required: 

3 mL lavender-top (K2 EDTA) tube collected MUST be properly filled to at least 1.5 mL (half the fill volume of the tube). 
Lavender-top (K2 EDTA) microcollection tube MUST be properly filled to at least 250 uL (half the fill volume of the tube).



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Processing instructions: 

Do NOT centrifuge.


Transport temperature: 

Refrigerated (preferred) or room temperature.


Specimen stability: 

Refrigerated: 72 hours. Room temperature: 24 hours.


Rejection criteria: 

Clotted, frozen, hemolyzed, overfilled or underfilled specimen tube. Specimen beyond stability limits.



TEST DETAILS
Reference interval: 
 Retic %Retic #
(Absolute)		IRF%RetHe (pg/cell)
31 days - Adult0.80 - 1.9031.3 - 100.12.5 - 20.629.7 - 37.4
8 days0.70 - 2.2036.6 - 99.523.0 - 83.0N/A
Newborn3.00-7.00110.0-445.0N/AN/A

Adult ranges established by normal study performed at GMC and GWV 8/2012. 
Pediatric ranges from Nathan and Oski's "Hematology of Infancy and Childhood, 7th edition." 
 


Additional information: 

Potential related available add on testing includes: CBC with WBC differential (LAB1963), CBC (LAB1961), HGB (LAB2461), HCT (LAB2400), PLT (LAB2863); immature platelet fraction (LAB2524) can only be added if sample is collected at testing laboratory.

See individual test requirements.


CPT code(s):  85046
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Test includes: 

Reticulocyte percentage, absolute reticulocyte count, immature reticulocyte fraction, and reticulocyte hemoglobin.


Methodology: 
Electronic resistance detection enhanced by hydrodynamic focusing and flow cytometry
Synonyms: 

RETIC, RETIC WITH ABSOLUTE COUNT AND IRF, RETICULATED HEMOGLOBIN, RETP


Clinical significance: 

Useful in determining if the bone marrow is responding adequately to the body's need for red blood cells and to help determine the cause of and classify different types of anemia. The reticulocyte count is helpful in the evaluation of the bone marrow's ability to produce red blood cells (RBCs) and to help distinguish between anemia related to blood loss/destruction and anemia related to decreased RBC production. Also monitors bone marrow response and return of normal marrow following chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant or post treatment follow-up for iron deficiency anemia. RetHe gives a direct measurement ofthe functional iron available for RBC hemoglobinization.


Doctoral Director(s): 
Mary Dhesi MD
Review Date:  01/08/2025

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