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Normal therapeutic values are between 11.5 and 14.5%. This would indicate a small, uniform population of RBCs. So, they're all going to be about the same. Now this is going to be taken as part of a CBC in a lavender tube as you can see here in this picture. What would cause lab values to be increased? Well, a condition that means that there's a high variation in size in red blood cells is an isocytosis and anemias, of course, because again, this could be, you know, microcytic, they could be macrocytic, or meaning that they're large in size or they're really small in size. And, it could also be increased in major organ disease again, because there's so much that goes into the health of the bone marrow and its ability to produce blood cell components.
Now, some linchpins for this lesson. The RDW or the red cell distribution width is a measurement of the size and volume of RBCs and the variation within that sample, very important, the variation. Now, 11.5 to 14.5% indicates that we have small uniform red blood cells. They're fitting great through the tiny capillaries and carrying around a bunch of oxygen. An increased value means that there's high variation in size. So, some are tiny, some are little, and that mean value is indicating that there could be a problem. Either it's a major organ disease, or it could be deficiency of nutrients. Now, this lab is not used on its own or in isolation to diagnose any type of condition; it's actually usually associated with other, uh, lab values so that we can really measure if there's a hematologic disorder.
Now, you all did great on this lesson and this wraps it up. We love you guys, now go out and be your best self today, and as always happy nursing!
References:
- https://www.uptodate.com/contents/evaluation-of-the-peripheral-blood-smear?search=Anisocytosis%203&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~15&usage_type=default&display_rank=1
- https://www.uptodate.com/contents/microcytosis-microcytic-anemia?search=Anisocytosis%203&source=search_result&selectedTitle=2~15&usage_type=default&display_rank=2
- http://uptodate.com/contents/automated-hematology-instrumentation?search=rdw%20lab%20value&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1#H5
- https://www.healthline.com/health/rdw-blood-test#results
- https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/rdw-red-cell-distribution-width/
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