Reticulocyte hemoglobin (Reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent, Ret-He) is the blood pigment of reticulocytes. This parameter provides information about the body’s iron balance and is an early marker of functional iron deficiency:Reticulocytes are are young erythrocytes (red blood cells). They circulate in the blood for only one to two days.
The procedure
Material needed
- EDTA blood
Preparation of the patient
- Not necessary
Disruptive factors
- Not known
Normal value
| Normal value in pg Hb/reticulocyte | 28-35 |
Indications
- Suspected iron deficiency anemia
- Start of erythropoietin therapy
Interpretation
Interpretation of increased values
- Not specified
Interpretation of lowered values
- Functional iron deficiency
Other indications
- Responds more rapidly than hemoglobin (Hb), MCH (mean cellularhemoglobin concentration), or MCV (mean cellular volume) tochanges in iron metabolism.
