Reticulocyte Count: Why They Are More Important Than Just Classifying Anemia
In this webinar, we will review how the absolute reticulocyte count measures bone marrow response to demand for red blood cells. The quantity and quality of the reticulocyte provides insight into relatively common diseases with or without anemia. Case material will be used as a foundation for discussion on why reticulocyte count.
Learning objectives
Review the different ways in which reticulocyte counts can be estimated and their limitations.
Illustrate why the reticulocyte count is critical for differentiating regenerative from nonregenerative anemia.
Understand why there is high value of having a reticulocyte count when there is no anemia.
Understand how to use reticulocyte indices, particularly reticulocyte hemoglobin content (RETIC-HGB) as a sensitive and specific measure of iron availability for normal RBC production.