What Does Low HGB,MCV,MCH And High RDW Indicate?

Posted on Thu, 17 Apr 2014

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

Thu, 17 Apr 2014 Answered on

Thu, 8 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : i had abnormal cbc/diff... hgb, mcv and mch were low and rdw was high also ferritins , segs and abs seg were low and lymphs and monos were high....what could this mean?

Answered by Dr. Robert Galamaga (7 hours later)

Brief Answer: Followup Detailed Answer: Hello and thank you for sending the question. From the laboratory testing you have sent it looks like you have a case of iron deficiency. This can arise from several different causes. This includes lack of iron in the diet. Also active gastrointestinal bleeding can contribute to this. It is also possible that autoimmune disease can contribute to some degree. For you it looks like he would benefit from some iron supplementation. This can be with an oral tablet or sometimes will use iron infusions. This is something that can be reviewed with a local hematologist. I would suggest that you contact your primary care doctor for a referral to a local hematologist. Sincerely, Dr. Galamaga Hematologist&Oncologist

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

Follow up: Dr. Robert Galamaga (1 hour later)

thank u for your answer....you do say it could be a possible autoimmune disease. if it were an autoimmune disease, which ones would you say it could most likely be based on the cbc/diff results i sent you? thank you XXXX

Answered by Dr. Robert Galamaga (32 hours later)

Brief Answer: Considerations Detailed Answer: Thank you for the additional question. Regarding diseases which might contribute to these findings is very difficult to speculate but certain diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus might be contributory to such findings. Also celiac disease or gluten sensitivity might present with some findings like this. Also there are other types of inflammatory diseases including Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis which might present with findings such as these. Thanks again for submitting your question please let me know. Of additional concern is that he would like to review here. Sincerely, Dr. Galamaga

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

Follow up: Dr. Robert Galamaga (8 hours later)

thank u for your response to my question. if this was you or one of your family member's results, would these results raise enough concern to you to make u want to have additional tests taken or would you wait until your next yearly physical exam. thank u XXXX

Answered by Dr. Robert Galamaga (2 days later)

Brief Answer: Followup Detailed Answer: I would request a 6 month followup. that would be a reasonable middle ground.

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