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Test Name:
Reticulocyte Hemoglobin Equivalent


  • SBMF No:
    25052
  • Performance Lab Name:
    Automated Lab
  • Test Mnemonic:
    RETIC/HE
  • ABN:
    Not required
  • CPT Code:
    85046
  • LOINC Code:
    42810-2; 4679-7
  • Test Includes:
    Reticulocyte Percent
    Reticulocyte Hemoglobin Equivalent
  • Also Known As:
    Ret-He
  • Spec Type:
    Whole blood
  • Spec Container:
    Lavender top (EDTA) tube
  • Pref Vol:
    5.0 mL
  • Min Vol:
    1.0 mL
  • Fasting:
    No
  • Spec Collect:
    Routine venipuncture
  • Spec Process:
    Do not centrifuge
    Do not remove plasma from cells
  • Spec Store Transport:
    Refrigerated
    Optimally, specimen should be received for testing within 24 hours of collection
  • Spec Stability:
    24 hours room temperature (20-30°C)
  • Spec Reject:
    Collection tube not filled to at least half of vacuum capacity
    Clotted, hemolyzed or centrifuged sample
  • Methodology:
    Fluorescence Flow Cytometry
  • Use:
    Aid in diagnosis and monitoring treatment of functional iron deficiency (FID)
    Aid in diagnosis of functional iron deficiency during r-HuEPO treatment
    Aid in the diagnosis and treatment of various hematologic disorders
  • Clinical Significance:
    Reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent (Ret-He) is a direct assessment of the incorporation of iron into erythrocyte hemoglobin and a direct estimate of the recent functional availability of iron into the erythron. Good agreement has been shown between Ret-He and CHr (mean cellular hemoglobin content of reticulocytes).
    The concept of functional iron deficiency (FID) has been established because estimates of iron storage do not provide good assessment of the availability of iron for interdiction into erythrocyte hemoglobin. This concept is particularly relevant to the patients who receive recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO), in whom the cellular requirements for iron are increased. It can lead to decreased iron incorporation into cellular hemoglobin and hamper the effectiveness of the therapy in anemic patients.
  • Reference Range:
    27.2–35 pg
  • Additional Test Info:
    Using reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent cutoff level of 27.2 pg, iron deficiency can be diagnosed with a sensitivity of 93.3% and a specificity of 83.2%.
  • Day Run:
    Sun-Sat (daily)
  • Time Run:
    As received
  • Time Reported:
    4 hours
  • Test Type:
    HEMATOLOGY

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