What Does High RDW And High Platelet Count Usually Mean?

Posted on Sun, 8 Jul 2018

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

Sun, 8 Jul 2018 Answered on

Mon, 4 Jul 2022 Last reviewed on

Question : What does high rdw (17.8) and high platelet (398) count usually mean? I also have low hemoglobin (10.6) and high ferritin (423) and low iron (225). I don't know if this may be related to inflammation of my sciatic nerve which has affected my butt and upper legs and is painful for me to walk, or perhaps due to prediabetes. My cholesterol is in the normal range, though my Triglycerides are somewhat high (167).
I'm tired all the time and take at least a couple naps a day.

I had a successful kidney transplant 3 years ago, but now due to the medications I'm on I have developed prediabetes (glucose 126 and A1C 6.1).

These lab findings have been very recent (last 2 months). Previous to this everything was normal.

I've tried making an appointment with my primary doctor who ordered these tests, but it will take several weeks for a follow-up. I'm 73 years old.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Esmeralda Sera (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Exams

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Those results of your exams are due to the inflammation of your sciatic nerves.

Also ferritin, frequently used as a marker of iron status in individuals with chronic kidney disease, is also an inflammatory marker. The concurrent combination of high serum ferritin and low iron saturation ratio it’s usual in the inflammatory situation

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad