I Had Routine Labs Done And My RDW Was Low

Posted on Mon, 12 Aug 2019

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 12 Aug 2019 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : I had routine labs done and my RDW was low and Hematocrit was elevated. Both were outside of normal range but all other lab results were fine. Should I be concerned?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (54 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
most persons , not significant

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

On their own, there is not likely any concern in most cases.

RDW is interpreted along with the hemoglobin, MCV and MCHC. The RDW looks at the variation in the size of the red blood cells. A decreased RDW can mean that there is little variation in size which can happen in some types of anemia however if there is anemia, your HEMOGLOBIN would be low.

If your hemoglobin is normal then you do not have anemia.

Hematocrit is sometimes elevated if a person is slightly dehydrated, it reflects the concentration of the blood.
If it is very very high, then in some persons, this can be related to a condition called polycythemia.

Your doctor would have likely contacted you if this was suspected

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (5 minutes later)

Great thank you! The lab results were not sent to my doctor because it was a wellness check done outside of my primary cares order but the Hematocrit was at 45.1 with a range of Range: 35.0-45.0. Since it is just outside of the range, this could mean some dehydration at the time?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
minor change, would not be associated with any significant conditions

Detailed Answer:
HI

Yes, luckily that change is not significant so it may just mean a slight increase in fluid is needed

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar