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CBC Taken Due To Blood In Stool, IBS, Diverticulosis And Gastritis. What Does The Finding Mean?

I just received back my CBC with differential with an RDW of 15.3 everything else was within 1 point of high and/or low. the reason for the CBC was I was passing blood with my stools....I have IBS, diverticulosis, peptic duodentitis ulcers, gastritis, and esophagitis. what does this mean?
Fri, 21 Mar 2014
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
With history of diverticulosis, peptic ulcer disease, gastritis and esophagitis, there could be constant blood loss from the gastrointestinal tract.
This constant blood loss can lead to anemia and iron deficiency anemia is the most common anemia in such presentation.
RDW stands for red blood cell distribution width.
RDW increases in conditions where is variation in the sizes of red blood cells.
Variation is seen in iron deficiency anemia.
RDW of 15.3 is slightly raised value.
Iron supplements along with treatment of underlying cause is the treatment of choice.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
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CBC Taken Due To Blood In Stool, IBS, Diverticulosis And Gastritis. What Does The Finding Mean?

Hello and welcome to HCM, With history of diverticulosis, peptic ulcer disease, gastritis and esophagitis, there could be constant blood loss from the gastrointestinal tract. This constant blood loss can lead to anemia and iron deficiency anemia is the most common anemia in such presentation. RDW stands for red blood cell distribution width. RDW increases in conditions where is variation in the sizes of red blood cells. Variation is seen in iron deficiency anemia. RDW of 15.3 is slightly raised value. Iron supplements along with treatment of underlying cause is the treatment of choice. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja P Wahal