Specimen

Whole Blood

Collection Medium:

Minimum:

Full draw; any size lavender top tube

Testing Schedule:

24 hrs/day, 7 days a week, including holidays.

Analytic Time:

2 hours (upon receipt in laboratory)

Reference Range:

24-36 pg

Comments:

Other anticoagulants are not recommended.

Test
Limitations:

Blood:  <24 hours old if stored at room temperature
        <72 hours old if refrigerated

Methodology:

Reticulocytes are stained with a dye, oxazine 750 and cells analyzed 
for cell size and hemoglobin.  Light absorption is proportional to the 
RNA content.

CPT Code:

85046

See also:
Reticulocyte Count (Automated), Erythrocytes