Version July 2025
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What is a reticulocyte count test? —
This measures the number of "reticulocytes" in the blood. It is also called a "retic count."
Reticulocytes are young red blood cells ("RBCs"). RBCs carry oxygen in the blood. They form in the "bone marrow," which is the collection of cells in the center of certain bones.
Having too few reticulocytes can be a sign of a health problem.
Why might I get a reticulocyte count test? —
Your doctor might have you get this test, along with a "complete blood count" ("CBC"), to figure out if your bone marrow is making new RBCs.
They might do this to:
●Help figure out the cause of anemia – This is when you have too few RBCs.
●Check if anemia treatment is working – If your anemia is not getting better after treatment, your doctor might do more tests.
Your doctor might compare the results of this test with other tests you had in the past.
How do I prepare for a reticulocyte count test? —
You need to get a "blood draw." Your doctor or nurse will tell you where to go for this.
It might help to wear a short-sleeve shirt to your blood draw appointment. This makes it easier for the person drawing your blood to get to your arm.
What happens during a blood draw? —
A needle is used to take a small amount of blood from your arm (figure 1). Collecting the blood only takes a few minutes. The blood is then tested in a lab.
Tell the person who takes your blood:
●If you take "blood thinner" medicines or have a bleeding problem – They will make sure your bleeding is under control before you leave.
●If you have a latex allergy – Some of the supplies used for blood draws might contain latex.
●If you have a preferred arm to use
Most of the time, getting blood taken does not cause problems. You might have a little soreness or bruising where the needle went in.
What do my results mean? —
Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to expect your results, and will contact you with the results. Or if you use an online "patient portal," you might get an alert there when your results are ready.
Your results might look like a number or a percent of your total RBCs.
If the test shows any abnormal results, your doctor or nurse will talk to you about what to do next. They might need to do more tests to figure out the cause.
If you have a health problem, your doctor will work with you to come up with a treatment plan.
Patient education: Complete blood count (CBC) (The Basics)
Patient education: Anemia overview (The Basics)
Patient education: Anemia caused by low iron in adults (Beyond the Basics)
