uworld question 1848, reticulocytes in B12 def

[anbuitachi]

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In this question, after B12 supplementation, there was a sudden blood level of reticulocytes,, which peaked at 1 week, and then dropped back down. But the hemoglobin and erythrocyte blood level curve was only slowly rising. Does anyone know why this is? Do the reticulocytes have less hemoglobin or something? And don't reticulocytes become erythrocytes... why would the erythrocyte only increase gradually.. If there is a huge amt of reticulocyte pumped out, why would the hemoglobin barely change?

 

[roinom]

I think it is due to a hyperplasia in the bone marrow which leads to a excessive erytropoesis, this leads to increased levels of reticulocytes in the blood.