Hematology

Corrected Reticulocyte Count

Adjusts the reticulocyte percentage for the degree of anemia.

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Parameters

Corrected Reticulocyte Count Result

Formula

Corrected Retic % = Measured Retic % × (Patient Hematocrit / Normal Hematocrit)
*Normal Hematocrit is assumed to be 45%.

Clinical Pearls

Helps narrow the differential diagnosis of anemia into hypoproliferative (low retic) vs. hyperproliferative (high retic).

Limitations

If polychromasia is present on the peripheral smear (indicating premature release of reticulocytes from the marrow), the Reticulocyte Production Index (RPI) should be calculated instead by dividing the corrected count by a maturation factor.