Reticulocyte is what? Reticulocytes: norm

Reticulocyte is a young form of red blood cells, their predecessor. A healthy person in the blood contains between 0.2 and 1.2% of these cells. This is the content of reticulocytes relative to erythrocytes. The time of their ripening is from 4 to 5 days.

Reticulocyte is what?

A characteristic feature of the young forms of erythrocytes is the presence in the cytoplasm of a granular-filamentous substance, which is an aggregated mitochondria and ribosomes. This substance is detected using a special method of staining blood smears. This color of reticulocytes is called supratital, i.e. Is performed bypassing the preliminary fixation of cells.

Groups of reticulocytes

There are five groups of reticulocytes. They differ in the reticular network. The mesh is thicker, the reticulocyte is younger.

The youngest reticulocyte is a cell that has a reticulum in the form of a dense tangle. Such cells belong to the reticulocytes of the 1 st group. More mature reticulocytes appear as a substance in the form of a clearly discernible mesh. And in 4-5 groups it looks like separate threads and grains. Usually, in healthy people, the 4 and 5 group of reticulocytes predominate in the blood; More mature. They account for up to 80% of all reticulocytes. But in some pathologies, when regeneration is strengthened, there is an increase in 1-3 groups of reticulocytes, i.e. Young forms. This is observed in the following pathologies:

• In the case of reticulocyte crisis with B12-deficiency anemia.
• Hemolytic anemia, etc.
• Erythroleukemia.

Functions of reticulocytes

Reticulocytes perform a function similar to erythrocytes. Carry oxygen to various tissues and organs, but the effectiveness of this process is slightly lower than in mature erythrocytes. Reticulocytes are capable of adsorbing the molecules of iron contained in hemoglobin due to receptors to transferrin.

How is blood taken for reticulocytes?

Suppose you have passed a blood test. Reticulocytes - what is it? In any analysis, are they identified? Blood sampling for this indicator is made during the general analysis. If necessary, the doctor who ordered the analysis will indicate in the direction that it is necessary to additionally count the reticulocytes.

This analysis does not require special preparation, but it is still customary to take it in the morning on an empty stomach. This analysis can be done at any time of the day, if necessary. Blood is taken from the finger, its research is conducted in the hematology department of the laboratory.

Counting of reticulocytes is performed in a super-ablated stained smear microscopically, i.е. By counting their number under a microscope. In modern laboratories for today there are hardware methods for counting reticulocytes.

How to donate blood to reticulocytes? What is it and where to perform such an analysis? These questions are answered. Now let's talk about the normal values of this indicator.

Reticulocytes. Designation in analyzes

What is the norm of red blood cells in peripheral blood? Sexual differences in the norm are important only after 11-12 years when calculating such an index as reticulocytes in the blood. The norm in children up to this age is the same. After the girls begin regular menstruation, the monthly loss of blood leads to an expansion of the range of vibrations of the cells of the erythroid series.

You will see the norm of reticulocytes in peripheral blood in the table below.

What is the increase in reticulocytes?

Especially important is the determination of the number of reticulocytes in anemia. The condition in which reticulocytes are elevated is called reticulocytosis. The increase in these cells, accompanied by an increase in the level of hemoglobin, indicates a good regenerative capacity of the bone marrow. In particular, reticulocytes are increased in the following pathologies:

• Hemolytic anemia (diseases in which erythrocyte destruction occurs - hemolysis) - reticulocytes can be above 60%. Especially this indicator increases with hemolytic crises.
• Effects on the body of hemothoxins, in which hemolysis occurs. It can be poison vipers or drugs used to treat erythremia. Toxins in malaria also cause hemolysis.
• Acute posthemorrhagic anemia (after massive blood loss). Reticulocyte crisis usually occurs 3-4 days after hemorrhage. Sometimes it allows to reveal the latent bleedings, for example, with a stomach ulcer or typhoid fever, etc.
• Polycythemia.
• Malaria.
• Restorative period after chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
• Metastases of the bone marrow.
• This condition can be observed with acute oxygen deficiency.
• After the appointment of a course of vitamin B12 in the treatment of B12-deficiency anemia.
• After taking the drug "Erythropoietin", which is used in the treatment of anemia.
• After a long reception of some antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs.
• After applying "Levodopa" in Parkinsonism.
• When smoking.

Distinguish reticulocytosis true and false.

True and false reticulocytosis

With true reticulocytosis, the increase in young erythrocytes in the blood is accompanied by an increased amount in the bone marrow. This indicates the process of erythropoiesis, i.e. About the true formation of erythrocytes.

With false reticulocytosis, reticulocytes increase only in the peripheral blood, and in the bone marrow their number is reduced or remains normal. This may indicate the leaching of them into the bloodstream from the bone marrow. A similar process is observed with inflammatory or tumor processes in the bone marrow, for example, with metastases.

What is the decrease in reticulocytes?

The amount of reticulocytes decreases with the inhibition of erythropoiesis. This can occur with such pathologies as:

• Aplastic anemia (life-threatening illness of the patient).
• B12-deficiency anemia.
• Iron deficiency anemia.
• Folic deficiency anemia.
• Sedlaroblastic anemia.
• Thalassemia.
• Tumor processes in the bone marrow.
• Thyroid dysfunction (decreased function), for example, with myxedema.
• Severe kidney disease, which may result in a decrease in erythropoiesis.
• Severe alcoholism, which leads to serious violations of the liver and kidneys.
• Chronic infections.
• With uremia - a condition with renal failure, which becomes the cause of high content of nitrogenous substances in the blood.
• After taking some medicines, such as "carbamazepine" or "chloramphenicol", as well as with prolonged intake of sulfonamides.

We found out what a blood cell is like, like reticulocyte. These are young red blood cells, from which a full-fledged red blood cell develops, supplying all tissues and organs of our body with oxygen.