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RDW: What Red Cell Distribution Width Reveals
RDW (red cell distribution width) is part of your complete blood count and shows how much your red blood cells vary in size. A higher RDW can be one of the earliest signals of a developing iron, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, often before other values change. This page explains what your RDW result means and how it fits with the rest of your blood count.
ما يقيسه
RDW stands for red cell distribution width and shows how much your red blood cells vary in size relative to each other. Where MCV reflects the average size of your red blood cells, RDW shows how wide the spread around that average is.
The value is calculated automatically during a complete blood count (CBC) and expressed as a percentage. A low or normal RDW means your red blood cells are fairly uniform in size. A high RDW means smaller and larger cells exist side by side, which is called anisocytosis.
Because RDW is assessed together with values such as hemoglobin, hematocrit and MCV, it gives your doctor extra grip when mapping out how your body is producing blood.
أهميته
RDW is especially valuable because it often changes before other values in the blood count become abnormal. As a result, a raised RDW can be one of the earliest signals of developing anaemia.
A high RDW usually means your body is producing red blood cells of varying sizes. This happens with a shortage of iron, vitamin B12 or folate, and with blood loss or increased breakdown of red blood cells.
Combined with MCV, RDW helps distinguish the type of anaemia. A low MCV with a high RDW often fits iron deficiency, while a high MCV with a high RDW can point to a shortage of vitamin B12 or folate. Your doctor uses this distinction to look further in a more targeted way.
متى يُجرى الفحص
RDW is measured automatically whenever you have a complete blood count, so you do not need to request it separately. A blood count is often ordered for symptoms such as fatigue, paleness, shortness of breath or dizziness that can fit with anaemia.
The value is also useful if you have an increased risk of a shortage of iron, vitamin B12 or folate, for example with heavy menstruation, a plant-based diet or reduced absorption in the gut.
If an abnormality is found, your doctor can use RDW together with follow-up testing to find the cause and monitor any treatment.
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نصائح نمط الحياة
A varied diet with enough iron (such as in green vegetables, legumes and meat), vitamin B12 and folate supports the production of healthy, uniform red blood cells.
If you have an increased risk of a deficiency, for example through heavy menstruation or a plant-based diet, discuss with your doctor whether further testing or supplementation makes sense. Do not take iron long term on your own without a confirmed deficiency, as too much iron is not without risk. A persistently raised RDW should always be assessed by a doctor.