Order Code LABRETHGB Reticulocyte Hemoglobin (<6months old)

Useful For

Useful for early diagnosis of functional iron deficiency in newborns <6 months of age.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Whole Blood

Collection Container/Tube: Lavender (EDTA)

Pediatric Collection Container/Tube: Lavender Microtainer (EDTA)

Pediatric (microtainer) volume: 0.5 mL

Specimen Stability

Specimen Type	Temperature	Stability
Whole Blood	Refrigerated (preferred)	24 hours
	Ambient	24 hours

Rejection Criteria

Samples that do not meet minimum volume requirements
Incorrect collection container
Clotted sample

Reference Values

CURRENT

<6 months: 27.6-38.7 pg

STARTING MARCH 31, 2026

Gender abbreviations (M=Male, F=Female, U=Unknown, Unspecified, X=Neither Male nor Female)

Age/ gender	Retic %	Retic #X10⁶/uL	IRF %	Retic Hgb pg
0-4 Days M,F,U,X	3.47-5.40	0.1475-0.2164	30.5-35.1	27.6-38.7
4 days -1 mo M,F,U,X	1.06-2.37	0.0513-0.1104	14.5-24.6	27.6-38.7
1-2 mo M,F,U,X	2.12-3.47	0.0518-0.0779	19.1-28.9	27.6-38.7
2-6 mo M,F,U,X	1.55-2.70	0.0482-0.0882	13.4-23.3	27.6-38.7
6 mo-2 years M,F,U,X	0.99-1.82	0.0435-0.1111	11.4-25.8	*
2-6 years M,F,U,X	0.82-1.45	0.0364-0.0680	8.4-21.7	*
6-12 years M,F,U,X	0.98-1.94	0.0424-0.0702	8.9-24.1	*
12-18 years M,F,U,X	0.90-1.49	0.0416-0.0651	9.0-18.7	*
≥18 years M	0.60-2.71	0.0304-0.1109	2.3-13.5	*
≥18 years F	0.60-2.71	0.0304-0.1109	2.3-15.5	*
≥18 years U,X	0.60-2.71	0.0304-0.1109	2.3-15.5	*

*only run on patients < 6 months old

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Performing Laboratory

Ridgeview Medical Center Laboratory

Methodology

Polymethine Fluorescence/ Diode Laser

Test Classification and CPT Coding

85046