---
title: Reticulocyte Count Test
type: biomarker
url: "https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/reticulocyte-count"
also_known_as:
  - reticulocyte count
  - retic count
  - reticulocytes
category: Blood Health
units:
  - "10^9/L"
  - K/uL
order_price_usd: 19.99
order_item: Immature Red Blood Cell Test
order_url: "https://www.test-well.com/tests/reticulocyte-count"
reviewed_at: 2026-09-08
---

# Reticulocyte Count

> Reticulocyte Count is measured with a standard blood draw; no fasting is needed. A typical reference range is 30.0 – 100 10^9/L. At TestWell it's $19.99 all-in as Immature Red Blood Cell Test, results in 1–3 business days, drawn at Quest or Labcorp. An out-of-range result is a prompt to look closer, not a diagnosis.

Also known as: reticulocyte count, retic count, reticulocytes.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Units | 10^9/L / K/uL |
| Sample | Blood draw |
| Fasting | Not required |
| Results | 1–3 business days |
| Price | $19.99 |
| Labs | Quest or Labcorp · BioReference in NY/NJ |

## What does Reticulocyte Count measure?

Newly formed red blood cells. Reflects how actively your marrow is producing red cells.

## What is the normal range for Reticulocyte Count?

| Population | Reference range |
| --- | --- |
| age 18+ | 30.0 – 100 10^9/L |

Reference intervals differ slightly between labs; the range printed on your report is the one to interpret against. Ranges are usually set so 95% of healthy people fall inside them.

## What does a high Reticulocyte Count mean?

Reticulocytes are brand-new red cells. A high count means the bone marrow is responding — appropriately to blood loss, hemolysis or recovering iron/B12/folate deficiency, or to a low-oxygen environment such as altitude or lung disease. In someone with anemia, a high reticulocyte count is good news about the marrow and points the search toward loss or destruction of red cells rather than under-production.

### Common causes of high Reticulocyte Count

1. Recovery from bleeding or after starting iron, B12 or folate treatment
2. Hemolytic anemia (autoimmune, sickle cell, G6PD, spherocytosis)
3. Altitude, chronic hypoxia, smoking
4. Erythropoietin therapy or EPO-secreting tumors, testosterone
5. Pregnancy (mild)

### Symptoms that go with high Reticulocyte Count

- Those of the underlying anemia: fatigue, breathlessness, pallor
- Yellow eyes and dark urine with hemolysis

### What clinicians usually check next

- CBC, LDH, bilirubin, haptoglobin (hemolysis work-up)
- Stool blood test, menstrual history and iron studies for loss
- Hematology review if hemolysis is confirmed

Follow-up tests at TestWell: [CBC with Differential](https://www.test-well.com/tests/cbc-with-differential) ($21.99), [CBC (Complete Blood Count)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/cbc) ($21.99), [LDH (Lactate Dehydrogenase)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/ldh-test) ($19.99), [Haptoglobin](https://www.test-well.com/tests/haptoglobin-test) ($101.99).

**Is a high reticulocyte count bad?** It means the marrow is working hard — the question is why. After blood loss or starting iron it is the desired response; with a falling hemoglobin and high LDH it points to hemolysis.

## What does a low Reticulocyte Count mean?

A low reticulocyte count in someone with anemia means the marrow is not making enough new red cells: iron, B12 or folate deficiency before treatment, chronic kidney disease (too little erythropoietin), chronic inflammation, bone-marrow suppression by medications or infection, and primary marrow disorders such as aplastic anemia or myelodysplasia. With a normal hemoglobin, a low-normal count is simply not needed.

### Common causes of low Reticulocyte Count

1. Untreated iron, B12 or folate deficiency
2. Chronic kidney disease (low erythropoietin)
3. Anemia of chronic disease/inflammation, hypothyroidism
4. Bone-marrow suppression: chemotherapy, some antibiotics and anticonvulsants, alcohol, parvovirus B19
5. Aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, marrow infiltration (less common)

### Symptoms that go with low Reticulocyte Count

- Fatigue, breathlessness, pallor; frequent infections or bruising if other cell lines are affected

### What clinicians usually check next

- Ferritin, B12, folate, kidney function, TSH
- Peripheral smear; CBC trend
- Hematology referral (possible marrow evaluation) when the count stays low without a nutritional or renal cause

Follow-up tests at TestWell: [CBC with Differential](https://www.test-well.com/tests/cbc-with-differential) ($21.99), [CBC (Complete Blood Count)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/cbc) ($21.99), [TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/tsh) ($26.99), [TSH + Free T4](https://www.test-well.com/tests/tsh-with-free-t4) ($27.99), [Ferritin](https://www.test-well.com/tests/ferritin) ($24.99), [Folate (Vitamin B9)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/folate) ($32.99).

### Seek care promptly if

- Low reticulocytes with a rapidly falling hemoglobin, or with low platelets and white cells — prompt evaluation

**What is the reticulocyte production index?** A correction of the count for how severe the anemia is. A raw count can look 'normal' while still being inadequate for a low hemoglobin; the index below 2 means under-production.

## How do you get tested for Reticulocyte Count?

| Order | Type | Price | Includes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Immature Red Blood Cell Test](https://www.test-well.com/tests/reticulocyte-count) | Single test | $19.99 | This marker |
| [Comprehensive Anemia Workup](https://www.test-well.com/tests/comprehensive-anemia-panel) | Panel | $169.99 | 8 tests |

## Quest vs Labcorp vs BioReference

| Lab | Available | Price | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Quest Diagnostics | Yes | $19.99 | Choose Quest at checkout; walk-in patient service centers in every state TestWell serves outside NY and NJ. |
| Labcorp | Yes | $19.99 | Choose Labcorp at checkout; walk-in patient service centers in every state TestWell serves outside NY and NJ. |
| BioReference (NY & NJ) | Yes | $17.99 | New York and New Jersey orders route here automatically — state rules keep Quest and Labcorp from accepting self-ordered draws. |

## Common questions about Reticulocyte Count

### Do I need a doctor's order to test my reticulocyte count?

No. TestWell's licensed physician network reviews and approves your order — usually within minutes. You can place an order online without an in-person visit or a referral from your own doctor.

### How long does it take to get Reticulocyte Count results?

Most Reticulocyte Count results are available in 1–3 business days after your specimen arrives at the lab. You'll get an email the moment your results are ready, with everything viewable in your TestWell portal.

### How much does a Reticulocyte Count test cost?

Our Immature Red Blood Cell Test starts at $19.99. That's the all-in price — no copays, no insurance hoops, no surprise bills. HSA and FSA cards are accepted.

### Do I need to fast before my Reticulocyte Count test?

Fasting is not required for the Reticulocyte Count test. You can have your blood drawn any time of day.

### Which lab will process my Reticulocyte Count test?

Your test will be processed by Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp, or BioReference depending on which is closest to you and which lab carries the test. All three are CLIA-certified and trusted by hospitals nationwide. You'll choose your lab during checkout from 4,000+ locations.

## Sources

- [AACC Lab Tests Online](https://www.testing.com/tests/reticulocytes/)
- [MedlinePlus (NIH) — Reticulocyte Count](https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/reticulocyte-count/)

## Related biomarkers

- [Hemoglobin](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/hemoglobin)
- [Hematocrit](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/hematocrit)
- [White Blood Cell Count](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/white-blood-cell-count)
- [Platelet Count](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/platelet-count)
- [Red Blood Cell Count](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/red-blood-cell-count)
- [MCV](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/mcv)

- [Reference range lookup tool](https://www.test-well.com/tools/reference-range-lookup)
- [Lab unit converter](https://www.test-well.com/tools/lab-unit-converter)
- [All biomarkers](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers)

---

Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD (Medical Reviewer, TestWell); last reviewed 2026-09-08. Review policy: https://www.test-well.com/reviewers/youmna-distefano-md

Canonical page: https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/reticulocyte-count
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Prices are cash-pay, in USD, and include physician authorization; every order adds one flat $6 lab processing fee. Educational content is not a diagnosis — discuss results with a clinician.