Comparison of Erythrocyte and Reticulocyte Indices for Evaluation of Iron Deficiency by Two Automated Hematologic Analyzers.

The reticulocyte hemoglobin content and hypochromic erythrocyte percentage offer advantages in evaluation of iron deficiency, especially in inflammatory conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation of reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr, Ret-He) and hypochromic erythrocyte percentage (%HYPO, Hypo-He) between two automated hematologic analyzers. The CHr and %HYPO values were determined using the Advia 2021i (Siemens), while the Ret-He and Hypo-He levels were assessed using the XN-3000 (Sysmex). Data from a total of 971 cases and 834 patients were collected. For reticulocyte hemoglobin content, there was a good linear correlation between CHr and Ret-He (r = 0.857, p < 0.001). For percentage of hypochromic erythrocytes, there was a better correlation between the two measures when using a second-degree polynomial equation (Hypo-He* = 0.4818 - 0.0218 x %HYPO + 0.0069 x %HYPO2) (r = 0.786, p < 0.001).