High RDW Blood Test: What It Means and Why It Matters

You're looking at your lab results and see RDW is high. What does this even mean? Is it serious? Should you be worried?

This guide will explain what RDW is, why it matters (especially when evaluating anemia), what causes high RDW, and what your doctor will do next.

Note: Reference ranges vary by lab. Always use the range on your specific lab report.

RDW stands for Red Cell Distribution Width—it measures how much your red blood cells vary in size.

Think of your red blood cells like cars on a highway:

• Normal RDW: All the cars are roughly the same size
• High RDW: There's a mix of tiny cars, regular cars, and SUVs—a wide variety

Why Cell Size Variation Matters

When your body makes red blood cells, they should be uniform in size. High variation (high RDW) suggests:

• Your bone marrow is under stress
• Red blood cells are being produced at different rates
• There may be a nutrient deficiency affecting cell production

RDW and Anemia: The Diagnostic Key

RDW is especially valuable when diagnosing anemia because it helps distinguish between different types:

The RDW clue: High RDW with low MCV strongly suggests iron deficiency. Normal RDW with low MCV suggests thalassemia. This is a crucial distinction!

1. Iron Deficiency Anemia - MOST COMMON

This is the #1 cause of high RDW with low MCV.

Why RDW is high in iron deficiency:

• Early in deficiency, cells are still normal-sized
• As deficiency worsens, newer cells become smaller (microcytic)
• You end up with a mix of old normal cells and new small cells
• This size variation = high RDW

Red flags for iron deficiency:

• Fatigue and weakness
• Pale skin
• Shortness of breath
• Craving ice or other non-food substances (pica)
• Brittle nails
• Headaches

Confirmatory tests:

• Low ferritin (iron stores)
• Low serum iron
• High TIBC (iron-binding capacity)

2. Vitamin B12 or Folate Deficiency

These deficiencies cause megaloblastic anemia—red blood cells that are too large (macrocytic).

Why RDW is high:

• As deficiency develops, cells become larger
• You have a mix of normal cells and oversized cells
• This size variation = high RDW

Red flags for B12/folate deficiency:

• Fatigue and weakness
• Pale or yellowish skin
• Shortness of breath
• B12-specific: Tingling in hands/feet, balance problems, confusion, memory issues
• Folate-specific: Similar to B12, but without neurological symptoms

Who's at risk:

• B12 deficiency: Vegans/vegetarians (no animal products), older adults, people on acid-suppressing medications, after gastric bypass
• Folate deficiency: Poor diet, alcohol use, pregnancy, certain medications

3. Mixed Nutritional Deficiencies

Sometimes you have more than one deficiency at the same time:

• Iron + B12 deficiency
• Iron + folate deficiency
• B12 + folate deficiency

This causes even more size variation = very high RDW.

4. Recent Blood Loss or Transfusion

After blood loss:

• Your body rushes to make new red blood cells
• You have large young cells and smaller older cells
• Temporary RDW elevation

After blood transfusion:

• Donor cells may be different size than your cells
• Mixed cell population = high RDW
• This is temporary and normal

5. Recovery From Anemia Treatment

When you're treated for anemia:

• Iron supplements or B12 injections
• Your bone marrow starts making healthy cells
• For a while, you have old unhealthy cells and new healthy cells
• High RDW is actually a good sign—treatment is working!

6. Bone Marrow Disorders

Less common, but more serious:

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS):

• Bone marrow produces abnormal blood cells
• High RDW with abnormal blood counts
• More common in older adults

Other bone marrow issues:

• Leukemia (can have high RDW)
• Multiple myeloma
• Bone marrow infiltration from other cancers

These are less common but why persistently abnormal blood counts need evaluation.

Hemoglobin Variants

• Sickle cell trait or disease
• Thalassemia (though RDW is often normal in trait)
• Other hemoglobinopathies

Liver Disease

• Liver disease can affect red blood cell production
• May cause elevated RDW with other abnormalities

Alcohol Use

• Chronic alcohol use can affect bone marrow
• May cause macrocytosis (large cells) with elevated RDW

Recent Illness or Hospitalization

• Any significant illness can affect blood production
• Recovery phase often shows high RDW

RDW never appears in isolation—it's always part of a Complete Blood Count (CBC). Here's how to interpret it in context:

High RDW + Low MCV

Key test: Ferritin (iron stores). Low ferritin = iron deficiency. Normal ferritin = something else.

High RDW + High MCV

Key test: B12 and folate levels.

High RDW + Normal MCV

Key: Look at other CBC values and overall clinical picture.

High RDW + Normal Everything Else

Sometimes RDW is slightly elevated but everything else looks normal:

• May be early deficiency
• May be normal variation for you
• May warrant monitoring and recheck

High RDW itself isn't an emergency, but certain situations need prompt attention:

Seek Prompt Care For:

• RDW elevation with severe anemia (hemoglobin < 7-8 g/dL)
• RDW elevation with chest pain or shortness of breath
• RDW elevation with rapid heartbeat or palpitations
• RDW elevation with confusion or difficulty thinking
• RDW elevation with black or bloody stools
• Very high RDW (over 20%) with other abnormal blood counts

Schedule Prompt Follow-Up For:

• Any unexplained high RDW
• High RDW that's rising on repeat testing
• High RDW with other abnormal CBC values
• High RDW with symptoms of anemia

High RDW is a clue that leads to more specific testing:

Essential Follow-Up Tests

Additional Tests (as indicated)

• Hemoglobin electrophoresis: For hemoglobin variants, thalassemia
• Peripheral blood smear: Microscopic examination of blood cells
• LDH: Elevated in hemolysis (red blood cell destruction)
• Haptoglobin: Low in hemolysis
• Iron studies panel: Comprehensive iron evaluation
• B12/folate retesting: Sometimes initial levels are misleading

Treatment depends entirely on the underlying cause—there's no "treatment" for high RDW itself.

For Iron Deficiency

• Iron supplements: Usually 3-6 months to replenish stores
• Dietary changes: More red meat, leafy greens, fortified cereals
• Treat the cause: Heavy periods? GI bleeding? Ulcers?
• Recheck: RDW should normalize as iron stores replenish

For B12 Deficiency

• B12 supplements: Oral or injections (severe deficiency usually gets injections)
• Dietary changes: More animal products (for vegetarians/vegans, fortified foods or supplements)
• Identify the cause: Pernicious anemia? Malabsorption? Dietary insufficiency?

For Folate Deficiency

• Folate supplements: Usually 1-3 months
• Dietary changes: Leafy greens, legumes, fortified grains
• Address alcohol use if relevant

For Mixed Deficiencies

• Treat all deficiencies simultaneously
• May need multiple supplements
• Recheck to confirm all deficiencies are corrected

For Bone Marrow Disorders

• Hematologist referral (blood specialist)
• Bone marrow biopsy for diagnosis
• Specialized treatment depending on the specific disorder

While waiting for your appointment:

1. Review Your Diet

Are you getting enough:

• Iron: Red meat, liver, spinach, fortified cereals
• B12: Animal products, fortified foods (if vegan, you need supplements)
• Folate: Leafy greens, legumes, citrus fruits, fortified grains

2. Assess Your Risk Factors

For iron deficiency:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding?
• Vegetarian/vegan diet?
• Recent blood donation?
• GI bleeding (ulcers, polyps)?
• Pregnancy?

For B12 deficiency:

• Vegan/vegetarian?
• Over 50 (absorption decreases with age)?
• On acid-suppressing medications?
• Had gastric bypass?
• Pernicious anemia family history?

For folate deficiency:

• Poor diet?
• Heavy alcohol use?
• Pregnancy?
• Malabsorption conditions?

3. Track Your Symptoms

Note any:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Pale skin
• Chest pain
• Rapid heartbeat
• Headaches
• Tingling or numbness (B12 deficiency)
• Craving ice or other non-food substances

4. Don't Start Supplements Yet!

Get tested first. Iron supplements can be harmful if you don't actually have iron deficiency (some people have hemochromatosis, or thalassemia trait where iron is normal or high).

1. "What's causing my high RDW?"
2. "Is this related to iron, B12, or folate deficiency?"
3. "What additional tests do I need?"
4. "Do I need supplements?"
5. "Could any of my medications be causing this?"
6. "How long until I feel better if we start treatment?"
7. "Do I need to see a hematologist?"
8. "When should we recheck my levels?"
9. "Could this be related to thalassemia?"
10. "What dietary changes do you recommend?"

High RDW in Pregnancy

Very common during pregnancy:

• Blood volume expands, diluting red blood cells
• Iron needs increase dramatically
• High RDW usually indicates iron deficiency

All pregnant women should:

• Take prenatal vitamins with iron
• Get regular prenatal care
• Have CBC checked each trimester

High RDW in Children

Common causes:

• Iron deficiency (from excessive milk, poor diet)
• Lead exposure (still a concern in some areas)
• Thalassemia trait

Children need prompt evaluation—nutritional deficiencies affect development and cognitive function.

High RDW in Older Adults

Causes to consider:

• Nutritional deficiencies (B12, iron, folate)
• Myelodysplastic syndromes (more common with age)
• Chronic disease
• Medication effects

Older adults deserve thorough evaluation—MDS and other marrow disorders become more common.

High RDW means your red blood cells vary in size more than normal. This is almost always due to a nutrient deficiency—iron, B12, or folate—and is usually very treatable.

The key is finding the cause:

1. High RDW + low MCV = usually iron deficiency
2. High RDW + high MCV = usually B12 or folate deficiency
3. Confirmatory testing tells you which

Most common scenario: Iron deficiency from menstrual blood loss, poor dietary intake, or GI bleeding. Iron supplements replenish stores, and RDW normalizes within a few months.

Less common but important: Thalassemia (usually normal RDW), bone marrow disorders (very high RDW with other abnormalities).

The right approach:

1. Don't panic—high RDW is very common and usually treatable
2. Get the recommended follow-up tests
3. Take prescribed supplements as directed
4. Recheck to confirm improvement

High RDW is your body's way of saying "I need something"—usually iron, B12, or folate. Give your body what it needs, and your blood cells will return to their normal, uniform size, and you'll feel like yourself again.

Related articles on WellAlly:

• Low MCV Blood Test: What It Means
• Iron Deficiency Anemia: Complete Guide
• Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Symptoms and Treatment
• Understanding Your Complete Blood Count (CBC)