RDW - blood test: transcript, norm

The most important part of the human body is the circulatory system. Circulation of blood occurs throughout life, it contacts absolutely with all tissues and organs in the body. On the basic indicators of blood, the doctor has the opportunity to determine the state of health.

The study evaluates a variety of qualitative and quantitative indicators of substances contained in it. The study of erythrocytes is most often indicated by the abbreviations MDV, RDW CV, RDW and some others. Let's try to understand what a blood test is on RDW.The decoding will be presented in detail.

Study of the characteristics of red blood cells

Most of the indicators of the analysis are clear and without further explanation. Parameters such as glucose, leukocytes, cholesterol and some others are fairly well known, and their rate is usually indicated next to the patient's result. By means of a simple mathematical comparison, it is possible to determine whether the research indicators are at a normal level or not. But what is a blood test for RDW CV?The interpretation of these values ​​is of interest to many.

The RDW blood test indicates the same as the erythrocyte distribution index. The study determines the presence of deformed blood cells in the blood. This phenomenon is called anisocytosis. If the state of erythrocytes is normal, then they all have approximately the same size, which allows them to replace each other as needed and perform the same functions. If some of the red blood cells are large, then this is a violation.

For the process of the existence of abnormal erythrocytes, much more nutrition is required, the life span is shortened. Quite often, macro cells have a larger size than a capillary. As a consequence, they can not normally circulate through the body and are disposed of.

Blood analysis and interpretation of RDW SD and CV makes it possible to determine the relationship between normal red blood cells and enlarged or deformed. RDW CV reflects the percentage distribution of red blood cells by size. RDW SD shows the standard deviation, in other words, the difference in size between the largest and smallest erythrocyte present in the blood sample.

In what cases is this blood test performed on RDW?The decoding will be considered below.

Indications for the study

Absolutely any doctor, from the district therapist and ending with a specialist in a specific field of medicine, can send the patient to the UAC.The blood test for RDW can be carried out at the annual medical examination and according to the indications. But with an annual survey, the analysis is not always assigned. This indicator will be checked if the patient has the following symptoms:

• Elevated temperature in the absence of visible causes, for example, colds.
• Drowsiness, despite the fact that the patient is resting enough.
• Increased sweating regardless of heat.
• Fast fatigue.
• Emotionality, irritability, sudden change of mood.
• Yellowing of the skin( in rare cases).What is the basis for decoding RDW in a blood test?

  

  Normal

  In normal men and women, normal RDW values ​​are the same. They are in the range of 11.5-14.5%.Research on anisocytosis in children can give different results. The norm in newborns is the range of 14.9-18.7%.This is due to stress as a result of childbirth and adaptation to life. For children from six months, the normal level of RDW is 11.6-14.8%.The older the child becomes, the closer the RDW indicator approaches the norm of an adult.

  The RDW decoding in the blood test is performed by the attending physician or a qualified specialist who has an understanding of the patient's medical history and is able to take into account all the necessary factors. If the deviation from the norm is about 15%, then we can talk about the presence of a violation. In some cases, the patient may be referred for re-examination.

  Increased index of RDW

  An increased level may be evidence of a pathology or disease. Quite often it happens because of a deficiency in the body of vitamins and nutrients. In addition, the main reasons for the violation include:

  • chronic stage of liver disease;
  • tumor development and cancer;
  • Alzheimer's disease;
  • of the SSS;
  • deficiency of iron, capable of influencing the function of hematopoiesis;
  • anemia of different nature, for example, hemolytic, microcytic, megaloblastic, iron deficiency. It is especially important to identify a similar cause in pregnant women;
  • deficiency of vitamin B12 and B9;
  • alcoholism;
  • deficiency of folic acid.

  With a general blood test, the decoding of RDW is not difficult.

  

  Undervalued

  There are times when the RDW is lowered. In order to determine the reasons for this phenomenon, it is required to consider in a complex two indicators - RDW and MCV.

  • In the event that both of these indicators are lowered, then it can be said that the spleen is broken, which recovers the damaged red blood cells, or the liver, which cleaves toxins.
  • If the RDW is lowered and the MCV is elevated, then the probability of developing bone marrow damage by cancer cells should be considered. It is possible that for a long time the body developed a cancerous tumor, which specialists did not notice, and its metastases affected the bone marrow.

  

  Reasons for the decline in the

  indicator It often happens that the transcript of the RDW blood test increases it and reveals it. But the decrease in the indicator is quite rare. This indicates the presence of quite serious problems in the body. It should be noted that 99.9% of cases of such results arise due to the influence of external factors during the research. This may be inaccurate or incorrect configuration of the equipment, failure or violation during storage of the samples under study. If re-examination also indicates a low RDW, then the cause may be:

  • Blood donation.
  • Surgical intervention to remove an organ or part of it.
  • Severe hemorrhage due to pathology or trauma. The most dangerous are gastric and uterine bleeding. With them, there is a rapid loss of blood, which reduces the patient's chances of survival.
  • Disturbance of metabolic processes in the body, resulting in insufficient absorption of minerals and vitamins from food.
  • Hormonal dysfunction. The indicator RDW is often lowered during pregnancy, at puberty, with the intake of hormonal contraceptives
  • . The lack of vitamin B or folic acid.
  • 

  Conclusion

  So, we examined the decoding of RDW in the blood test. As you can see, it's not necessary to be a doctor to understand the results of the RDW study. However, the interpretation of the analysis should be carried out by a qualified specialist, capable of taking into account all important factors.