Common Questions
1. My CBC report includes a result for immature
platelet fraction (IPF). What is it?
2. My CBC report includes a result for reticulocyte
hemoglobin. What is it? ...
3. My CBC report includes a result for immature
granulocytes (IG). What are they?
4. Is there anything I can do to improve results of
my CBC?
5. If I have an abnormal result on my CBC, what
other tests might my doctor order as follow up?
1. My CBC report includes a result for immature
platelet fraction (IPF). What is it?
IPF is the relative number of immature platelets
(also called reticulated platelets) in the blood.
Platelets are produced in the bone marrow and are
normally not released into the bloodstream until
they have matured. When platelet numbers in the
blood are low (thrombocytopenia), it stimulates the
bone marrow to produce platelets faster. When the
need is great and when production cannot keep up
with "demand," then an increased number of
immature platelets will be released into the
bloodstream.
This IPF test result would be one of the values
reported when blood is evaluated using an
automated hematology analyzer. The IPF may be
used to help a healthcare provider determine the
likely cause of a person's thrombocytopenia, that
is, decrease in production by the bone marrow (IPF
is low) versus increased loss of platelets in the
blood (IPF is higher). Lab test results including
platelet count and IPF can also help determine if a
person needs a platelet transfusion and help
monitor bone marrow recovery, such as after a
bone marrow transplant. Other uses are being
studied and the test's ultimate clinical utility has wedding wears for mature women over 40/50
not yet been well determined.
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2. My CBC report includes a result for
reticulocyte hemoglobin. What is it?
The hemoglobin inside of reticulocytes can be
measured and reported as either a mean
reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr) or a
reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent (Ret-He),
depending upon the test method used. This test
result would be one of the value