High RDW Blood Test? What Your Results May Be Telling You

High RDW on your blood test? What does a high RDW mean, and should you be concerned? An elevated red cell distribution width (RDW) can sometimes be an early warning sign of iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, or other medical conditions—even when your hemoglobin and other blood test results appear normal. RDW measures how much your red blood cells vary in size. But why do some red blood cells become unusually large while others become smaller than normal? And could a high RDW reveal something important about your health? In this video, Dr. Kevin Lowe explains the causes of high RDW, how red blood cell production affects your results, and why this often-overlooked measurement deserves attention. What You'll Learn About High RDW: • What RDW measures and the normal RDW range. • Why iron deficiency is a common cause of high RDW. • How vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies affect red blood cell size. • Why RDW can be high even when your MCV and hemoglobin are normal. • How liver disease and alcohol consumption can affect red blood cells. • The surprising association between elevated RDW, heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. • What to do if your RDW is elevated. Can You Have High RDW With a Normal MCV? Yes! MCV measures the average size of your red blood cells, while RDW measures how much those cells vary in size. You can have unusually large and unusually small red blood cells circulating together, producing a normal average MCV but an elevated RDW. This is one reason a high RDW blood test result may provide valuable information even when other measurements appear normal. Does High RDW Mean Something Is Seriously Wrong? Not necessarily. A high RDW is not a disease or a diagnosis. However, it can sometimes provide an early clue to nutritional deficiencies, anemia, or other medical conditions. Research has also found associations between elevated RDW and poorer outcomes in certain cardiovascular diseases. These associations do not mean that a high RDW causes heart disease or that everyone with an elevated result is at increased risk. Understanding your RDW alongside your hemoglobin, MCV, medical history, and other laboratory findings is essential. Join Dr. Kevin Lowe for another candid conversation about understanding your blood test results and what they may be telling you about your health. MEDICAL REFERENCES 1. May JE, et al. Three neglected numbers in the CBC: The RDW, MPV, and NRBC count. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. 2019;86(3):167–172. https://www.ccjm.org/content/86/3/167 2. Cleveland Clinic. RDW Blood Test: What It Is, Procedure & Results. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/22980-rdw-blood-test 3. Merck Manual Professional Edition. Iron Deficiency Anemia. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/hematology/anemias-caused-by-deficient-erythropoiesis/iron-deficiency-anemia 4. Merck Manual Professional Edition. Megaloblastic Macrocytic Anemias. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/hematology/anemias-caused-by-deficient-erythropoiesis/megaloblastic-macrocytic-anemias MEDICAL DISCLAIMER This video is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute personal medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare professional for the interpretation of your laboratory results and appropriate medical evaluation. #HighRDW #RDWBloodTest #ElevatedRDW #BloodTestResults #DrKevinLowe