RDW Blood Test (Red Cell Distribution Width) For Anemia & Blood Disorders

The RDW blood test, or Red Cell Distribution Width, measures the variation in the size of your red blood cells. It helps diagnose and monitor various anaemia and other blood disorders, providing insights into overall health.

RDW Blood Test

Here are the basic details of the RDW Blood Test.

Also Known As	RDW-CV, RDW-SD Test
Type	Blood test
Purpose	Assess red blood cell variation
Sample Type	Blood
Preparation	None
Fasting	Not required
Gender	All genders
Age Group	All age groups
Normal Value	11.8% to 14.5%
Reporting Time	Within 24 hrs
Cost	100-200 INR*

*Price range may vary as per location, lab type, and procedure of lab test.

RDW Blood Test Means

RDW (Red Cell Distribution Width) measures the variation in the size of red blood cells in your blood.

It helps in diagnosing and monitoring different types of anemia, a condition where there are insufficient red blood cells or hemoglobin.
RDW can also be an indicator of various health conditions, inflammation, or nutritional deficiencies.
It's often used alongside other blood tests to provide a more comprehensive view of one's health.
Regular RDW tests can help track changes in your blood cell distribution and overall health status.

RDW Blood Test Purpose

The purpose of the RDW Blood Test is to:

Assess red blood cell variation (anisocytosis)
Help diagnose anemia and its underlying causes
Monitor response to anemia treatment
Identify potential nutritional deficiencies
Aid in the diagnosis of various medical conditions

RDW Blood Test_ Price, Normal Range, Result, Purpose, Procedure Meaning and Interpretation - Drlogy Test

RDW Blood Test Preparation

Here is the basic preparation for the RDW Blood Test.

Before Test

No special preparation is typically needed for most patients.

During Test

A blood sample will be drawn by a healthcare professional.

After Test

There are no specific restrictions or aftercare instructions for most patien

RDW Blood Test Procedure

Here is the basic RDW Blood Test Procedure.

A healthcare professional will clean the area where the needle will be inserted with an antiseptic.
A tourniquet may be applied above the area to help locate the vein for blood collection.
A needle with a collection tube will be inserted to draw a blood sample.
After the sample is collected, pressure will be applied to the puncture site, and a bandage will be used.
The blood sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis to measure the RDW.
Test results are reported to your healthcare provider, who will discuss the findings with you.

RDW Blood Test Result

RDW blood test measures the variation in the size of red blood cells.
Normal RDW values typically fall within a specific range (e.g., 11.8% to 14.5%).
Higher values may indicate various blood disorders, while lower values are less common and may also have clinical significance.

RDW Blood Test Normal Range

Here is the normal range of the RDW Blood Test

RDW Blood Test	Normal Range
Adults	11.8% to 14.5%

RDW Blood Test Interpretation

Here is the Interpretation of the RDW Blood Test.

RDW Blood Test Result	Interpretation
<11.8%	Below normal range
11.8% - 14.5%	Normal range
>14.5%	Above normal range

RDW Blood Test High Levels

An elevated Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) in a blood test can indicate various conditions affecting red blood cell size variability. Here are potential causes of high RDW levels:

Potential Causes	Description
Anemia	Conditions causing different sizes of red blood cells, such as iron-deficiency anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, or hemolytic anemias, can result in elevated RDW levels.
Blood Loss	Acute or chronic blood loss, whether from gastrointestinal bleeding, heavy menstrual periods, or other sources, can lead to a wide range of red blood cell sizes and increased RDW.
Hemolysis	Conditions where red blood cells are prematurely destroyed, such as in autoimmune hemolytic anemia or mechanical heart valves, can cause increased variation in red blood cell sizes and elevate RDW.
Nutritional Deficiencies	Deficiencies in essential nutrients like iron, vitamin B12, or folate can affect red blood cell production and result in a wide RDW.
Bone Marrow Disorders	Disorders affecting the bone marrow's ability to produce red blood cells in a uniform size, like myelodysplastic syndromes, can lead to increased RDW.

High RDW levels indicate anisocytosis, or variation in red blood cell size, which can be a useful marker for diagnosing and monitoring certain blood disorders. Further evaluation is often necessary to determine the specific underlying cause.

RDW Blood Test Low Levels

A low Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) in a blood test typically indicates a narrower range of red blood cell sizes. Here are potential causes of low RDW levels:

Potential Causes	Description
Microcytic Anemias	Certain types of anemia characterized by smaller-than-normal red blood cells, such as iron-deficiency anemia and thalassemia, can lead to a lower RDW due to a more consistent cell size.
Nutritional Deficiencies	Adequate levels of essential nutrients like iron, vitamin B12, and folate are essential for normal red blood cell production and can result in a narrower RDW when levels are sufficient.
Chronic Diseases	Chronic diseases like chronic kidney disease or chronic inflammatory disorders may lead to a more uniform red blood cell size and a lower RDW.
Hemoglobinopathies	Conditions like sickle cell anemia and other hemoglobin disorders may cause consistent red blood cell size, resulting in a lower RDW.

A low RDW typically indicates a more uniform red blood cell size, which can be associated with specific types of anemia and other conditions. Further evaluation is needed to determine the exact cause.

Specimen Requirements For RDW Blood Test

Here are the specimen requirements for the RDW Blood Test.

Specimen	Whole blood
Volume	Fill tube to capacity.
Container	Lavender-top (EDTA) tube
Collection	Invert tube 8 to 10 times immediately after tube is filled at the time of collection.
Storage	Maintain specimen at room temperature.
Sample Stability	Temperature	Period
	Room temperature	1 day
	Refrigerated	3 days
	Frozen	Unstable
	Freeze/thaw cycles	Unstable
Causes for Rejection	Hemolysis; clotted specimen; specimen drawn in any anticoagulant other than EDTA.

RDW Blood Test is Safe?

The RDW blood test is safe and routine.

It's a simple blood draw, causing minimal discomfort.
Risks are minimal, such as bruising at the needle site.

When Do You Get RDW Blood Test Results?

RDW blood test results are typically available within 24 hours.
The exact turnaround time may vary depending on the laboratory and specific circumstances.

RDW Blood Test Limitation

Here is the basic limitation of RDW Blood Test.

RDW alone cannot diagnose a specific medical condition.
It reflects red blood cell size variation, not the underlying cause.
Interpretation needs additional tests and clinical context.

RDW Blood Test Risk Factors

Here are some of the risk factors of the RDW Blood Test.

Minimal risk; a routine blood draw.
Possible minor discomfort or bruising at the needle site.
No significant health risks directly related to the test.

Doctor Recommendations After RDW Blood Test Result

Here are the Doctor's recommendations or consult a specialist after the RDW Blood Test.

RDW Blood Test Result	Doctor to Visit	Reason
High	Hematologist	Possible anemia or blood cell disorders.
Normal	No specific doctor	Red blood cell size appears typical.
Low	Hematologist	May indicate a specific blood cell disorder.

RDW Blood Test Price

Here are the estimated RDW Blood Test Prices in India with different top cities:

City	Price Range (INR)*
Mumbai	100-200
New Delhi	150-200
Bangalore	100-200
Hyderabad	150-200
Kolkata	100-200
Pune	150-200
Lucknow	100-200
Noida	150-200
Surat	150-200
Gurugram	100-200
Patna	150-200
Chennai	100-200
Jaipur	150-200
Ahmedabad	100-200

*Prices are approximate and vary depending on a specific laboratory or healthcare facility.

Summary

Overall, RDW Blood Test is important as it helps assess variations in red blood cell size, aiding in the diagnosis and monitoring of various medical conditions. Also check Drlogy Test for detailed information about all medical tests for patients, doctors, scholars and medical students.

Reference

Red blood cell distribution width - Wikipedia [1].
Red blood cell distribution width: biomarker for red cell dysfunction and critical illness outcome? - NIH [2].

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RDW Blood Test FAQ

What is RDW in a blood test?

Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) is a measure of the variation in the size of red blood cells in your bloodstream. It's typically reported as part of a complete blood count (CBC) and can help diagnose various health conditions. An RDW test measures the range of red blood cell sizes, providing valuable insights into your overall health.

Why is RDW important?

RDW is crucial because it can indicate potential health issues. When your red blood cells vary significantly in size, it may be a sign of anemia, nutritional deficiencies, or other underlying conditions. Monitoring RDW can help doctors diagnose and manage these conditions early.

Can pets have an RDW blood test?

While RDW is not typically used in veterinary medicine, similar parameters specific to animal health are monitored by veterinarians. Blood tests for pets may include parameters that serve similar purposes as RDW in humans, but the terminology and reference values may differ.

Can RDW be used to identify inherited red cell disorders?

RDW can provide hints about certain inherited red cell disorders, such as hereditary spherocytosis and elliptocytosis. However, a confirmed diagnosis typically requires more specific tests, like osmotic fragility tests and genetic analysis.