Red blood cell distribution width (RDW or RDW-CV or RCDW and RDW-SD) is a measure of the range of variation of red blood cell (RBC) volume that is reported as part of a standard complete blood count. Usually red blood cells are a standard size of about 6-8 μm in diameter.
One may also ask, what does a low RDW CV mean? A low RDW (below 10.2%) means that the red blood cells vary very little in size. One reason for a low RDW level is macrocytic anemia. Another cause of a low RDW level is microcytic anemia. In these two disorders the red blood cells do not vary much in size because they are either all small or all large.
Furthermore, what does high RDW CV mean?
High results If your RDW is too high, it could be an indication of a nutrient deficiency, such as a deficiency of iron, folate, or vitamin B-12. These results could also indicate macrocytic anemia, when your body doesnt produce enough normal red blood cells, and the cells it does produce are larger than normal.
Does low Rdw mean cancer?
Recent case control studies have shown associations between RDW and colon cancer and malign biliary obstruction. In addition, RDW has been shown to predict cancer in patients with unintentional weight loss, and to be associated with poor prognosis in patients with lung cancer and multiple myeloma.
