Red blood cell distribution width

[rainbowsp]

Sorry to post here, I've seen other do it and get some responses, so I thought I would try. I will speak to my GP about it of course, if I can get through !

The last couple of full blood counts show that I have elevated red blood cell distribution width. On top of my blood test it says that my results are normal and any abnormal results are insignificant. I'm however still interested in what this means ? I've Googled around a bit. It wouldn't make blood clots more likely, or would it ? I read that somewhere!

Many thanks.

Have you recently been taking iron tablets?

I'm a Specialist Biomedical scientist in Haematology. One of the reasons you shouldn't really go looking for answers on the internet is we really need a bit more of a history before interpreting.

I know you're asking what it means about the cells, rather than why it means FOR YOU, but there's different explanations depending on what's been going on.

It basically means that there's a larger variation in the sizes of your red blood cells than typically expected. Like you got some XXS, some XS, some S, some M etc, rather than just having S, M, L. Do you remember bell shaped curves from school statistics? Your bell has a wider base than most peoples.

WHY this is the case for you as an individual is another thing entirely.

I'm not aware it would lead to increased risk of clots. If it does it's probably something daft like a 2 in 4 million chance rather than a 1 in 4 million chance. Not worth fretting about if your Hb, MCV and MCHC are fine. Most doctors wouldn't even look at it.

If I remember rightly my GP diagnosed an incipient underactive thyroid problem from the small size of my red blood cells. I

I haven't. I had a baby 6 months ago. Had some heavy periods, so got a blood test to check out what might be going on.

But this isn't necessarily small cells, its a larger spread of various sizes.

Heavier periods most likely because you only have birth 6 months ago and your body isn't back to normal yet.....or maybe this is your new normal. If your Hb isn't low (making you anaemic) then your body is doing a pretty good job of keeping your blood levels normal despite you losing larger amounts of blood each month than it's been used to.

Give your body time to 'recover' from growing another human, try not to worry and be kind to yourself. Your body is doing well at keeping you healthy xx