Measurement of reticulocyte and red blood cell indices in patients with iron deficiency anemia and beta-thalassemia minor.

New parameters correlated with the hemoglobin content in reticulocytes (RET-Y) and in red blood cells (RBC-Y) have been suggested as helpful in diagnosing iron deficiency anemia. We have studied RET-Y and RBC-Y indices in two groups of patients with microcytosis to verify if these parameters could be used to differentiate iron deficiency anemia from beta-thalassemia minor. Blood samples from 33 iron-deficient patients, 25 beta-thalassemic minor patients and 50 normal individuals were analyzed on a Sysmex XE-2100 instrument.