RDW measures the variation in size of red blood cells, with a normal range of 11-15%. High or low levels may indicate anemia or chronic disease, and can have implications for prognosis in heart failure patients. Diagnosis is complex and best left to doctors.
The condition of red blood cells is often an indicator of an individual’s health. A test that is sometimes done helps measure red blood cell distribution width (RDW); this can determine how much the cells in a sample vary in size. The measurement does not generally represent the physical diameter, however. Typically represents the width of a graphical curve showing how cell volume varies. A normal range is usually between 11% and 15% in the human body.
The width of the red blood cell distribution is usually determined mathematically; the formula normally includes the mean corpuscular volume, which is the average amount of space each cell occupies. The mathematical principle of standard deviation is applied to the value and divided by the average volume. A result is then multiplied by 100 to determine the RDW. Medical laboratories typically have instruments that can detect pulses produced by red blood cells; stronger pulses are usually produced by larger cells, while weaker ones usually come from smaller cells.
Laboratory reports often indicate the normal range for red blood cell distribution width. However, the ranges may vary depending on the type of equipment used for the measurement. If RDW is high in a blood test, it generally means that the cells vary quite a bit in size; anemia caused by an iron deficiency is sometimes a cause. Low levels of vitamin B12 or folic acid also often decrease the count. Carbon in vitamins, which is needed by the body, may be lacking for normal functioning.
If the red blood cell distribution width is abnormally high or low, it may be indicative of a chronic disease. Diagnosing conditions through RDW testing is complex and best explained by doctors. Doctors have to consider various factors such as the patient’s age and general health. It is possible to mention several ailments that doctors may experience when they come across an abnormal distribution width of red blood cells in a patient. For example, a low RDW can be indicative of thalassemia. Whereas a high RDW can be indicative of anemia such as microcytic anemia caused by iron deficiency.
The extent of red blood cell distribution may correlate with the outcomes of other health conditions. High variability in blood cell size often results in a less optimistic prognosis for people with heart failure, based on studies. The count may represent insufficient production of new cells and more frequent destruction of normal cells, thereby complicating underlying medical conditions.
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