In which diseases are reticulocytes elevated?

The classic disease associated with an increased reticulocyte count is anemia. Anemia describes an anaemia. It is characterized by a decreased red blood cell count, i.e. a reduced number of red blood cells, or by a decreased concentration of red blood pigment (so-called hemoglobin).

The body tries to compensate for anemia by increasing the production of reticulocytes in the bone marrow and releasing them into the blood. In the blood count, this change becomes noticeable as so-called reticulocytosis. Furthermore, an increased production of reticulocytes speaks against an iron or vitamin deficiency.

Reticulocytosis can also occur after a heavy bleeding. Many erythrocytes are lost due to the bleeding and there is a deficiency. The body tries to compensate for this by producing more reticulocytes.

After the maturation process the necessary red cells are produced. Another cause that can lead to increased values is hypoxia. Hypoxia describes a state of oxygen deficiency.

As a result, the tissue can no longer be supplied with sufficient oxygen and perishes. To prevent this condition, the body reacts again with an increased production of red blood cells. The blood count shows an increased number of precursor cells, i.e. reticulocytes.

In which diseases are reticulocytes reduced?

Various diseases are known to lead to a reduction in the number of reticulocytes. For example, chronic renal insufficiency can cause anemia with reduced reticulocyte count. The kidney is the place of formation of the so-called erythropoietin.

This is a hormone that acts as a growth factor for the formation of red blood cells (erythrocytes). This hormone is produced in a reduced form in the case of renal insufficiency. This in turn leads to a reduced synthesis of red blood cells.

Another disease is myelodysplastic syndrome. The syndrome describes a group of diseases that affect the bone marrow.A haematopoietic disorder occurs – the erythrocytes are no longer formed from reticulocytes, but from mutated stem cells. Due to the disturbed maturation process of erythrocytes, non-functional cells now develop.

However, the haematopoietic disorder affects not only the erythrocytes but also the blood clotting process. In addition, the neutrophil granulocytes (special cells of the immune system) may be reduced. Chemotherapy can trigger the same symptoms of myelodysplastic syndrome regardless of the underlying tumor type.

This is caused by damage to the bone marrow. Due to the loss of function, blood formation can only take place to a limited extent. Furthermore, deficiency symptoms such as iron deficiency can lead to a reduced reticulocyte count.

The body is no longer able to maintain blood formation because necessary nutrients are missing. Percinaemia, i.e. anemia caused by a vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency, also leads to the same symptoms. These articles may also be of interest to you:

Percussive anemia
Chronic renal insufficiency