Retic
Medical abbreviation · Laboratory Test
| Stands for | Reticulocyte count |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
Retic stands for Reticulocyte count, a laboratory test abbreviation.
Measures immature red blood cells newly released from the bone marrow, usually 0.5 to 2.5 percent of red cells in adults. It shows whether the marrow is responding to anemia: a high count indicates bleeding or hemolysis with active production, while a low count signals a production problem.
Example: Retic 6.8% with rising bilirubin and LDH; hemolysis workup underway.
Usage notes
Clinicians often correct the percentage for the degree of anemia (corrected reticulocyte count or reticulocyte production index), because a normal-looking percentage can be inadequate when the hematocrit is low. Reticulocytes are identified by staining their residual RNA. A rise within about a week of starting iron or vitamin B12 confirms that treatment is working.
Related abbreviations
More laboratory test abbreviations
- PT/INR – Prothrombin time with international normalized ratio
- PTT – Partial thromboplastin time
- QNS – Quantity not sufficient
- RADT – Rapid antigen detection test
- RBC – Red blood cell count
- RDW – Red cell distribution width
- RF – Rheumatoid factor
- RFP – Renal function panel
- Rh – Rhesus (D antigen)
- RI – Reference interval
- RPR – Rapid plasma reagin
- SG – Specific gravity
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This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.