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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Elevated RDW Levels In The Blood?

I went to the doctor, and had a full blood work up. Everything came back fine but my rdw was elevated to 17.8. Not sure what this means. I had hellp syndrome when I was pregnant but I had the baby 8 weeks ago. My liver blood work came back good..should I be worried?
Thu, 22 Dec 2016
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
hello concerned patient,thanks for writing to HCM
I read your query and understand it is regarding elevated RDW values


let me put it in simple terms,
Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a parameter that measures variation in red blood cell size or red blood cell volume.

Also the elevation in RDW is moderate in your case and in most cases elevated RDW are not a cause of worry and can be normalised easily
So relax.

I have seen that you had HELLP syndrome,but it would have been helpful if you gave the following details:

whether you have any other medical or surgical or drug history?
whether you excess bleeding immediately after or during the delivery time?
values of blood work up and liver function test?

Elevated RDW helps provide a clue for a diagnosis of early nutritional deficiency such as iron, folate, or vitamin B12 deficency as it becomes elevated


Values of blood work like hemoglobin values,and other parameters like MCV(mean corpuscular volume)would be needed to make the diagnosis whether it is anemia and if so whether it is iron deficiency anemia or vit b12 or folate deficiency(megaloblastic type)

If possible try to get back with this details

In either case,there is no reason for worry.

if i were treating you for iron deficiency anemia,i would suggest:

ferrous sulfate tablet of 325 mg (65 mg of elemental iron) orally three times a day, lower doses (eg, 15-20 mg of elemental iron daily) may be as effective and cause fewer side effects. To promote absorption, you should also avoid tea and coffee and may take vitamin C (500 units) with the iron tablet

In case you are intolerant to oral iron,parenteral iron therapy is needed.
Severe anemia would need blood transfusion,but i dont think you have that

If its megaloblastic anemia that you have,mostly it can be cured by a healthy diet rich in green leafy vegetables like spinach,lettuce ,other foods like mushrooms,jaggery,banana,liver etc etc

i would advise ,Oral or injection of folate and/or cobalamin,if they are deficient and cant be corrected by diet alone as above

i have given sufficient detail to alleviate you concern

Hope i have clarified and hope it helps.
Good day and followup for further advise
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What Causes Elevated RDW Levels In The Blood?

hello concerned patient,thanks for writing to HCM I read your query and understand it is regarding elevated RDW values let me put it in simple terms, Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a parameter that measures variation in red blood cell size or red blood cell volume. Also the elevation in RDW is moderate in your case and in most cases elevated RDW are not a cause of worry and can be normalised easily So relax. I have seen that you had HELLP syndrome,but it would have been helpful if you gave the following details: whether you have any other medical or surgical or drug history? whether you excess bleeding immediately after or during the delivery time? values of blood work up and liver function test? Elevated RDW helps provide a clue for a diagnosis of early nutritional deficiency such as iron, folate, or vitamin B12 deficency as it becomes elevated Values of blood work like hemoglobin values,and other parameters like MCV(mean corpuscular volume)would be needed to make the diagnosis whether it is anemia and if so whether it is iron deficiency anemia or vit b12 or folate deficiency(megaloblastic type) If possible try to get back with this details In either case,there is no reason for worry. if i were treating you for iron deficiency anemia,i would suggest: ferrous sulfate tablet of 325 mg (65 mg of elemental iron) orally three times a day, lower doses (eg, 15-20 mg of elemental iron daily) may be as effective and cause fewer side effects. To promote absorption, you should also avoid tea and coffee and may take vitamin C (500 units) with the iron tablet In case you are intolerant to oral iron,parenteral iron therapy is needed. Severe anemia would need blood transfusion,but i dont think you have that If its megaloblastic anemia that you have,mostly it can be cured by a healthy diet rich in green leafy vegetables like spinach,lettuce ,other foods like mushrooms,jaggery,banana,liver etc etc i would advise ,Oral or injection of folate and/or cobalamin,if they are deficient and cant be corrected by diet alone as above i have given sufficient detail to alleviate you concern Hope i have clarified and hope it helps. Good day and followup for further advise