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Is Variation In Size Of Red Cell Distribution Width A Cause For Concern?
Question: Hi , My RDW level is 14.9, all the other all the other numbers on my blood count are normal range, should I worry?
Brief Answer:
If CBC is normal, no need to worry
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Red cell distribution width (RDW) shows difference in size between the largest and the smallest red blood cells (RBCs) in circulating red blood cells. Variation in the size may occur in anemias when premature red blood cells released into the bloodstream, hemoglobin (oxygen-carrying pigment inside RBCs) disorders or in chronic blood loss.
Normal reference rage of RDW depends on what method (machine) has been used to measure it. There should always be printed normal reference range in your lab results. In adult females normal reference range of RDW may differ from 11.3-14.7 % to 12.2-16.1%.
Your laboratory result of RDW (14.9%) may be normal or slightly increased. Slight variations of RDW may happen in a normal healthy person. If other complete blood count (CBC) values are within normal range you do not need to worry.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Thank you
If CBC is normal, no need to worry
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Red cell distribution width (RDW) shows difference in size between the largest and the smallest red blood cells (RBCs) in circulating red blood cells. Variation in the size may occur in anemias when premature red blood cells released into the bloodstream, hemoglobin (oxygen-carrying pigment inside RBCs) disorders or in chronic blood loss.
Normal reference rage of RDW depends on what method (machine) has been used to measure it. There should always be printed normal reference range in your lab results. In adult females normal reference range of RDW may differ from 11.3-14.7 % to 12.2-16.1%.
Your laboratory result of RDW (14.9%) may be normal or slightly increased. Slight variations of RDW may happen in a normal healthy person. If other complete blood count (CBC) values are within normal range you do not need to worry.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you for your answer Dr. XXXXXXX
My WBC 8.9
RBC 4.57
Hemoglobin 136
Hematocrit 0.40
MCV 88
MCH 29.8
RDW 14.9
Platelet count 323
Hopefully this is normal, is there a way to lower the RDW?
My WBC 8.9
RBC 4.57
Hemoglobin 136
Hematocrit 0.40
MCV 88
MCH 29.8
RDW 14.9
Platelet count 323
Hopefully this is normal, is there a way to lower the RDW?
Brief Answer:
Please, provide normal reference range of RDW from your lab test report
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for the follow-up.
The blood test work-up values are all within normal range. Have you been provided normal laboratory reference values? It should be in your lab test report (result).
As I explained RDW value may differ depending what machine is used to measure it in a laboratory.
I could guide you better if you provide me with normal reference range of RDW from the lab that performed your blood test. The normal reference range is usually written in your lab test report.
Thank you.
Please, provide normal reference range of RDW from your lab test report
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for the follow-up.
The blood test work-up values are all within normal range. Have you been provided normal laboratory reference values? It should be in your lab test report (result).
As I explained RDW value may differ depending what machine is used to measure it in a laboratory.
I could guide you better if you provide me with normal reference range of RDW from the lab that performed your blood test. The normal reference range is usually written in your lab test report.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Hi Dr XXXXXXX
The normal range on the report for the RDW are:
11.5-14.5 % so I thought that 14.9 was a bit high.
Thank you
The normal range on the report for the RDW are:
11.5-14.5 % so I thought that 14.9 was a bit high.
Thank you
Brief Answer:
Life style changes and re-check RDW
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for the reference value.
You have normal mean corpuscular volume of red blood cells (MCV) and slightly increased RDW. This condition can happen initial phase of nutritional deficiencies: Iron, Folate or Vitamin B12 deficiencies. Increased RDW is also associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.
I would recommend you to follow healthy diet: eat healthy food that contains high folate (mostly vegetables), iron and other vitamin and minerals. Do regular physical exercises and get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked. You may check CBC again after 3 month (life span of red blood cells are about 3 months) to see the changes in RDW.
Hope this information is helpful. Please, feel free to ask me if there is anything else you need to know. I will be happy to help you further.
Thank you.
Life style changes and re-check RDW
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for the reference value.
You have normal mean corpuscular volume of red blood cells (MCV) and slightly increased RDW. This condition can happen initial phase of nutritional deficiencies: Iron, Folate or Vitamin B12 deficiencies. Increased RDW is also associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.
I would recommend you to follow healthy diet: eat healthy food that contains high folate (mostly vegetables), iron and other vitamin and minerals. Do regular physical exercises and get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked. You may check CBC again after 3 month (life span of red blood cells are about 3 months) to see the changes in RDW.
Hope this information is helpful. Please, feel free to ask me if there is anything else you need to know. I will be happy to help you further.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Thank you so much for your review Dr. XXXXXXX According to my family physician I don't have HBP, usually it's within 129/80 to 134/80, note that I am a bit overweight and that I lost so far about 30 pounds, i still need to lose about another 30 pounds. in regards to my cholesterol, my result was 4.89 range
2.00-5.10 mmol/l, LDL 3.01 range 1.50-3.40 mmol/l, HDL 1.36 range >1.19mmol/l
Chol/HDL (Risk Ratio) 3.60 range <4.4 mmol/l
Non HDL Cholesterol 3.53.
In regards to vitamine B12 my result was 284 range 153-655 pmol/l.
I am fasting as it's the month of Ramadan and eating very healthy meals, i don't eat any sugar (only berries), will keep up with my healthy diet and follow your advice. BTW, my glucose fasting was 5.7 range 3.3-5.5 mmol/l
and that'smainly why i decided to change my diet and lose weight.
Thank you Dr. XXXXXXX
2.00-5.10 mmol/l, LDL 3.01 range 1.50-3.40 mmol/l, HDL 1.36 range >1.19mmol/l
Chol/HDL (Risk Ratio) 3.60 range <4.4 mmol/l
Non HDL Cholesterol 3.53.
In regards to vitamine B12 my result was 284 range 153-655 pmol/l.
I am fasting as it's the month of Ramadan and eating very healthy meals, i don't eat any sugar (only berries), will keep up with my healthy diet and follow your advice. BTW, my glucose fasting was 5.7 range 3.3-5.5 mmol/l
and that'smainly why i decided to change my diet and lose weight.
Thank you Dr. XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Please, continue life style changes...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
It is great that you are motivated to lose weight. Indeed, regular exercises, healthy eating and weight loss are the most effective lifestyle changes to manage both your blood glucose and blood pressure values. Your lipid profile (cholesterol) test values are all in the normal range. I am sure you can lose another 30 pounds and you will feel healthier.
If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Wish you good health and Happy Ramadan.
Thank you.
Please, continue life style changes...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
It is great that you are motivated to lose weight. Indeed, regular exercises, healthy eating and weight loss are the most effective lifestyle changes to manage both your blood glucose and blood pressure values. Your lipid profile (cholesterol) test values are all in the normal range. I am sure you can lose another 30 pounds and you will feel healthier.
If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Wish you good health and Happy Ramadan.
Thank you.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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