Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a measure of the variation in the size of red blood cells (RBCs) in a blood sample. RDW is an important indicator of overall health, as it can help detect certain medical conditions, such as anemia and inflammation.
RDW is expressed as a percentage, with a normal range of 11.5% to 14.5%.
- An elevated RDW (RDW > 14.5%) indicates that there is a wider range of RBC sizes.
- A decreased RDW (RDW indicates that the RBCs are more uniform in size.
Several factors can contribute to an elevated RDW, including:
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia
- Folate deficiency anemia
- Sickle cell disease
- Thalassemia
- Certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Hypothyroidism
A decreased RDW is less common than an elevated RDW. It can be caused by:
- Aplastic anemia
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Lead poisoning
RDW is a valuable tool for screening and diagnosing certain medical conditions.
RDW should not be interpreted in isolation. It is important to consider other factors, such as:
RDW is a commonly ordered test as part of a complete blood count (CBC). It is a simple and inexpensive test that can provide valuable information about a patient's health.
RDW is particularly useful in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia. In combination with other laboratory findings, RDW can help differentiate iron deficiency anemia from other types of anemia.
In addition to the basic RDW measurement, there are also advanced RDW parameters, such as:
These advanced parameters can provide additional insights into the underlying cause of an abnormal RDW.
While RDW is a useful test, it does have some drawbacks:
Pros:
Cons:
RDW is a valuable laboratory test that provides important information about a patient's health. Physicians should consider ordering RDW along with other laboratory tests to evaluate for anemia and other medical conditions.
Here are some resources for further information:
Story 1:
A patient went to the doctor with a complaint of fatigue. The doctor ordered a CBC and found an elevated RDW. The doctor suspected iron deficiency anemia and ordered iron supplements. The patient took the supplements for several weeks and returned to the doctor feeling much better. The doctor repeated the CBC and found that the RDW had normalized. The doctor explained to the patient that the iron supplements had helped to correct the anemia and that the fatigue was likely due to the anemia.
What we learn: RDW can help diagnose anemia and monitor its treatment.
Story 2:
A patient went to the doctor with a complaint of shortness of breath. The doctor ordered a CBC and found an elevated RDW. The doctor suspected that the patient had a respiratory infection and ordered antibiotics. The patient took the antibiotics for several days and returned to the doctor feeling much better. The doctor repeated the CBC and found that the RDW had normalized. The doctor explained to the patient that the antibiotics had helped to clear the infection and that the shortness of breath was likely due to the infection.
What we learn: RDW can help diagnose infections and monitor their treatment.
Story 3:
A patient went to the doctor with a complaint of abdominal pain. The doctor ordered a CBC and found an elevated RDW. The doctor suspected that the patient had pancreatitis and ordered a CT scan of the abdomen. The CT scan confirmed the diagnosis of pancreatitis. The doctor started the patient on treatment for pancreatitis and the patient's abdominal pain improved. The doctor repeated the CBC several days later and found that the RDW had normalized. The doctor explained to the patient that the treatment for pancreatitis had helped to improve the inflammation and that the abdominal pain was likely due to the pancreatitis.
What we learn: RDW can help diagnose pancreatitis and monitor its treatment.
Table 1: Normal and Abnormal RDW Values
RDW | Interpretation |
---|---|
11.5% - 14.5% | Normal |
>14.5% | Elevated |
Decreased |
Table 2: Causes of Elevated RDW
Cause | Description |
---|---|
Iron deficiency anemia | A condition in which the body does not have enough iron to produce healthy red blood cells. |
Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia | A condition in which the body does not have enough vitamin B12 to produce healthy red blood cells. |
Folate deficiency anemia | A condition in which the body does not have enough folate to produce healthy red blood cells. |
Sickle cell disease | A genetic disorder that causes red blood cells to become sickle-shaped. |
Thalassemia | A genetic disorder that causes red blood cells to be smaller and paler than normal. |
Certain medications | Some medications, such as chemotherapy drugs, can cause an elevated RDW. |
Liver disease | Damage to the liver can lead to an elevated RDW. |
Kidney disease | Damage to the kidneys can lead to an elevated RDW. |
Hypothyroidism | A condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. |
Table 3: Causes of Decreased RDW
Cause | Description |
---|---|
Aplastic anemia | A condition in which the body does not produce enough blood cells. |
Myelodysplastic syndromes | A group of disorders that affect the production of blood cells. |
Lead poisoning | A condition in which the body has been exposed to too much lead. |
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