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Updated: May 4, 2026
Author Spotlight: Developing a Point-of-Care Hemoglobin Estimation Method for Anemia Management
Published on: January 19, 2024
RETICULOCYTE SUBPOPULATION ANALYSIS AND ITS CORRELATION WITH IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY IN A
11Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, UAE; 2Burjeel Royal Hospital, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Background:
Serum ferritin and iron have high inter-individual variability and inflammatory sensitivity, limiting its diagnostic value in several clinical settings. The Reticulocyte Subpopulation Analysis may indicate iron availability during erythropoiesis in real time.
Aim:
This study investigated the associations between reticulocyte parameters and various hematological and iron-related biomarkers in Iron Deficiency Anemia.
Methods:
In this retrospective study, 150 patients with IDA (Iron Deficiency Anemia) were included (146 females, 97.3%; 23 pregnant, 15.8%; 12 on iron treatment, 8.0%), RET-He, LFR/MFR/HFR, and IRF were correlated with iron markers. Associations between anemia severity and treatment status were examined using Spearman correlation, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney U analyses.
Results:
While other reticulocyte indices exhibited minor connections, RET-He showed strong positive correlations with ferritin (r=0.430, p<0.001), serum iron (r=0.364, p<0.001), and transferrin saturation (r=0.350, p<0.001 A significant decrease in RET-He was seen in mild anemia (24.6 pg) and severe anemia (15.2 pg, p<0.001). RET-He was marginally reduced (p=0.0750) while serum iron and transferrin saturation were considerably lower in iron-treated subjects (p=0.0023). Reticulocyte and iron characteristics did not correlate with age (p>0.05).
Conclusion:
A sensitive, independent biomarker of iron status, RET-He measures functional iron availability during erythropoiesis. Strong correlation and severity-stratified discrimination support in populations where inflammation confounds ferritin interpretation, RET-He inclusion into iron deficient diagnostic methods. Prospective studies are needed to establish clinical thresholds and validate RET-He in chronic renal disease, inflammatory conditions, and pregnancy-related iron metabolism.
