What Do These RBC And MCV Levels Indicate?

Posted on Thu, 21 Apr 2016

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

Thu, 21 Apr 2016 Answered on

Thu, 9 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Please tell me what the following indicate:
RBC 5.79
MCV 72
MCH 22.5
REW 16.4
Many thanks, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Hardik Sanghvi (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
All are RBC indices.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, dear
I have gone through your question. I can understand your concern.
Your rbc count is almost normal.

MCV indicate the size of rbc. It is slightly lower than normal. It suggest decrease in size or rbc.

MCH indicate hemoglobin content of rbc. It is also slightly decrease. So rbc are hypochromic.

RDW indicates variation in size. It is normal.

so overall you have hypochromic microcytic rbcs. It is commonly seen in iron deficiency.

Please tell me about your symptoms and other reports for further information.

Hope I have answered your question, if you have doubt then I will be happy to answer. Thanks for using health care magic. Wish you a very good health.

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