Reticulocyte Count 10-Field Estimate (Counter)

Online counter for determining the percentage of reticulocytes from total red cells counted using a supravital stain. Please click here in you would like to use an input form instead.

Instructions: Find oil immersion fields with approximately 100 non-overlapping cells. Use the “Reticulocytes” button below to count the number of reticulocytes seen. Then, press the “Oil Immersion Fields” button before moving on to another field. Repeat until you finish 10 fields.

Retics Counted:  Fields Counted:

Progress:

Principle:

Microscopically counting the average number of reticulocytes seen in 10 oil immersion fields on a blood film stained with a supravital stain determines the patient's reticulocyte count in percentage of RBC.

Notes:

• Reticulocytes must be counted in 10 different fields under 1000x magnification.
• Reticulocytes must be counted in the thin area of the blood smear. Fields must have good distribution of cells with little to no overlapping cells.
• Supravital staining technique must be used to display residual RNA found in reticulocytes.