The reticulocyte count is given as the percentage of red blood cells that are reticulocytes (the number of reticulocytes divided by the total number of red blood cells, multiplied by 100).

How is reticulocyte count calculated?

Because the reticulocyte count is expressed as a percentage of total RBCs, it must be corrected according to the extent of anemia with the following formula: reticulocyte % × (patient Hct/normal Hct) = corrected reticulocyte count.

What is the normal reticulocyte count?

A normal result for healthy adults who are not anemic is around 0.5% to 2.5%.