Haematology

Preferred Sample Type

Reticulocyte Count

Suitable Specimen Types

EDTA Whole Blood

Reticulocyte Count

Specimen Volume

1ml minimum

Specimen Transport

Standard transport to laboratory

Sample Preparation

None

Turnaround Time

24 hours, if urgent by prior arrangement with laboratory

Sample Stability

4°C for 24 hours

General Information

Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells and an increased number would indicate increased marrow activity. This could be seen in conditions such as haemolysis when there is increased red blood cell turnover.

Notes

Assay Limitations:

The analysers linearity limits are set in the table below:

                  

Possible sample interferences if the following are present:

  • Platelet clumps/ Giant platelets/ Fibrin
  • Cryoprotein/ Cryoglobulins
  • Erythrocyte aggregation (Cold agglutinin)
  • Possibility of fragmented RBCs
  • Lipaemia
  • Abnormal protein
  • Spherocytosis
  • Pseudo thrombocytopenia
  • Malaria
  • Howell-Jolly bodies

Reference Range

For Adult reference ranges click here

Specifications

  • EQA Status: NEQAS
  • EQAS Scheme: Yes

Creation Date

Monday, 08 August 2011

Modification Date

Tuesday, 02 July 2024

General Information

General information about the website and its content

Read more

Location of Laboratories

Where the laboratories are located and information about the services offered at each laboratory

Read more

Copyright UHB Pathology 2018

Protection of Personal Information – Clinical Laboratory Services comply with the Trust Data Protection Policy and have procedures in place to allow the Directorate and it’s employees to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and associated best practice and guidance.

University Hospitals Birmingham medical laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 standard. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the UKAS website using the following link: https://www.ukas.com/find-an-organisation/

  • Molecular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8759
  • Biochemistry is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8910
  • Haematology and Transfusion is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8784
  • Clinical Microbiology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8760
  • Cellular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 10141
  • Musculoskeletal laboratory is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 9897
  • Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospital pathology laboratories are a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No.8217.

Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.

For further test information, please visit the test database: http://qehbpathology.uk/test-database

For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 371 5962