Overview

Blood carries oxygen and is an excellent source of nutrient elements. But sometimes, sudden variations in the shape of blood cells affect the functioning of red blood cells and lead to many chronic disorders, such as anaemia. The RDW blood test is a crucial test that provides valuable insights into the health of your red blood cells. This blog will discuss the RDW blood test, covering everything from its purpose and procedure to understanding the results.

What is an RDW Blood Test?

RDW refers to the red cell distribution width. This test measures the size (volume) variation of your red blood cells (RBCs). Red blood cells are usually of a standard size in a healthy individual. However, certain health conditions can lead to variations in their size.

Significance of RDW Blood Test: Variations in red blood cell size can indicate various disorders, including nutritional deficiencies, anaemia, heart disease, and bone marrow problems. The RDW test can detect an abnormality in the size of red blood cells, which can further reduce the chances of chronic disorders.
RDW Blood Test Procedure: Let’s check out the detailed procedure for the RDW blood test.
Preparing for the Test: Typically, no special preparation is needed for an RDW blood test. It's often part of the routine CBC and is done alongside other tests, so fasting is only usually required if specified by the doctor.

The Testing Process

The testing process involves the following steps:

Blood Sample Collection: The test is performed by drawing a blood sample, usually from a vein in your arm.
Lab Analysis: The collected blood sample is then sent to a laboratory, where a machine analyses the size variation among red blood cells.

Understanding RDW Test Results

Once the test is done, doctors analyse the lab reports, and based on that, they inform the patient about their blood condition.

Normal Range

The normal range for RDW is typically between 11.0% and 14.5%, but this can vary slightly depending on the laboratory's standards.

High RDW levels

Higher RDW levels indicate a more significant variation in red blood cell size. This can be associated with:

Anaemia: Different types of anaemia, such as iron deficiency anaemia or pernicious anaemia, often show increased RDW.
Heart disease: Some studies suggest a correlation between high RDW levels and heart conditions.
Vitamin Deficiencies: Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency can lead to varied RBC sizes.
Bone Marrow Disorders: Conditions affecting bone marrow function can cause abnormal RDW readings.

Low RDW levels

This range of RDW levels indicates that the patient is unaffected by any type of anaemia. While less common, a lower RDW level might be observed. However, this is usually not considered clinically significant.

RDW and CBC

A complete blood count (CBC) is a comprehensive blood test that measures various components in the blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It provides information on parameters such as haemoglobin, hematocrit, and cell counts.

On the other hand, the RDW (Red Cell Distribution Width) is a specific component of the CBC that assesses the variation in the size of red blood cells, which

can indicate certain medical conditions, particularly anaemia.

When to Consult a Doctor

You can also get in touch with the expert Hematology doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

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Conclusion

The RDW blood test provides critical insights into your overall health, especially concerning the health and variability of your red blood cells. It's important to remember that the RDW test should be interpreted in the context of other blood test results and your overall health. Always discuss your results with a healthcare professional who can comprehensively analyse a specific health profile.

References

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/22980-rdw-blood-test#test-details
https://www.healthline.com/health/rdw-blood-test