RDW Blood Test High: What a High RDW May Be Telling You

RDW is the overlooked report people often miss

RDW Blood Test High is a common concern for people reviewing their blood work and wondering whether this result should be ignored or investigated further. In this video, Dr. Kevin Lowe explains what RDW means, why it rises, and how it can sometimes point to conditions such as iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, or folate deficiency—even when other blood count values appear fairly normal.

RDW stands for red cell distribution width. It reflects how much your red blood cells vary in size. A higher RDW means there is more variation than usual, which can sometimes provide an early clue that something may be affecting red blood cell production or development.

In this discussion, Dr. Lowe explains how both unusually large and unusually small red blood cells can increase RDW. He also describes why a person can have a normal MCV and still show an elevated RDW, an important point that often causes confusion when people read their CBC results.

The video also explores some of the more common causes of a high RDW, including iron deficiency and deficiencies of vitamin B12 or folate. In addition, it touches on the observation that elevated RDW has been associated with cardiovascular conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure, while emphasizing that RDW itself is not a diagnosis.

If your RDW is high, this video will help you understand what the number may mean and why it should be interpreted together with your hemoglobin, MCV, symptoms, and medical history.

Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/zAsCDnZncXI