Why are Reticulocytes Important in Clinical Diagnostics?
Reticulocytes serve as a marker for bone marrow activity and erythropoietic health. They are particularly valuable in diagnosing and monitoring conditions like anemia, where the body's demand for RBCs increases. The reticulocyte production index (RPI) can further refine the assessment by accounting for the patient's hematocrit level, providing a more accurate measure of bone marrow response.