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What Does A High RDW Blood Test Result Mean?
Question: On 8/30 a CBC showed deficiencies in iron, iron binding, saturation,red blood cell count,hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCH and MCHC. It also showed slightly elevated RDW
(16.6). Iron tablets were prescribed, and a CBC on 10/10 showed all of the above had returned to normal except RDW, which was even more elevated at 24.5. Q.: What is the significance of further elevation of RDW?
(16.6). Iron tablets were prescribed, and a CBC on 10/10 showed all of the above had returned to normal except RDW, which was even more elevated at 24.5. Q.: What is the significance of further elevation of RDW?
Brief Answer:
not significant, occurs because old red blood cells still present
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The RDW is not interpreted on its own but along with the Hb and MCV.
It refers to the variation in the volume/sizes of red blood cells present in the sample of blood..
Red blood cells circulate or run through the body for 100 to 120 days. This means that at any given time, there are old red blood cells circulating along with new ones.
When anemia is corrected, the number of normal sized red blood cells would increase but there would be still some with an abnormal size (because they live up to 120 days).
Because of the mixture of new normal sized red blood cells along with the old red blood cells (with smaller size)-----meaning there is a wide variation in the size---meaning the RDW would increase
Eventually as the old red blood cells go and all of the new ones have approximately the same size (now little variation in size), the RDW would decrease.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other question
not significant, occurs because old red blood cells still present
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The RDW is not interpreted on its own but along with the Hb and MCV.
It refers to the variation in the volume/sizes of red blood cells present in the sample of blood..
Red blood cells circulate or run through the body for 100 to 120 days. This means that at any given time, there are old red blood cells circulating along with new ones.
When anemia is corrected, the number of normal sized red blood cells would increase but there would be still some with an abnormal size (because they live up to 120 days).
Because of the mixture of new normal sized red blood cells along with the old red blood cells (with smaller size)-----meaning there is a wide variation in the size---meaning the RDW would increase
Eventually as the old red blood cells go and all of the new ones have approximately the same size (now little variation in size), the RDW would decrease.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other question
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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