If you have questions about your results, talk to your health care provider. The combination of results can help confirm a diagnosis. This measurement is not enough to make a diagnosis, so RDW results are usually combined with the results of other indices and other blood tests. If your results were not normal, it means there are differences in the size of your red blood cells.

If your results were normal, it means your red blood cells are normal in size and are all about the same size. Hereditary spherocytosis, a rare genetic disorder that causes anemia and gallstones.Hemolytic anemia, a type of anemia that happens when red blood cells are broken up in the blood stream.If the average amount of hemoglobin is higher than normal, it may mean you have: If the average amount of hemoglobin is lower than normal, it may mean you have: Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) If the amount of hemoglobin is higher than normal, it may mean you have: If the amount of hemoglobin is lower than normal, it may mean you have: Anemia caused by a vitamin B deficiency.If your red blood cells are larger than normal, it may mean you have: Thalassemia, an inherited disease that can cause severe anemia.It happens when you don't have enough iron in your body. Iron deficiency anemia, the most common form of anemia.If your red blood cells are smaller than normal, it may mean you have: Abnormal results may include one or more of the following: You will get results for each of the indices. If one or more of these indices are not normal, it may mean you have some type of anemia, a condition in which your body does not make enough healthy red blood cells. Red cell distribution width (RDW), which measures differences in the volume and size of your red blood cells.In addition, it includes a calculation of the size and volume of your red blood cells. Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), which also measures hemoglobin in red blood cells.Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), which measures the average amount of hemoglobin in a single red blood cell.Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), which measures the average size of your red blood cells.There are four types of red blood cell indices: Your cells need oxygen to grow, reproduce, and stay healthy. Red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes, carry oxygen from your lungs to every cell in your body. Red blood cell (RBC) indices measure the size, shape, and quality of your red blood cells.

Test viscosity of hemoglobin in rbc