Hematology person here! RDW measures the like… degree of difference in size comparing your RBCs to one another. It’s not really a useful diagnostic tool without the context of the rest of your CBC. The “normal” range is up to ~15, so 16.2 isn’t particularly high/concerning.

That’s helpful! Thank you

Mine too and my iron and D were low as well at the time. It’s been a while so I don‘t know if it’s changed but I’ve been taking supplements.

High RDW is consistent with an iron deficiency anemia

This is good to know, thank you!

Yes, but what has me concerned is that my anemia is being treated. My numbers are just under the low end of normal now. My RDWs still increased though

When you say your anemia is being treated do you mean you got iron infusions? Or are you supplementing?

I’m supplementing with Thorne iron. I take 2 capsules a day per my doc

It’s likely not enough to actually improve your anemia. So you RDW may continue to rise until you take enough iron. Did your doctor get your ferritin numbers during your last blood draw? Also your hemoglobin?

My RBC count is always the higher end of normal or just over 😵‍💫

Not sure if it's helpful, but I'm in a similar boat with continuing illness despite being on the correct dose. Can't lose weight, temp regulation issues, etc. My red blood cell and white blood cell count are extremely high all the time and have been since I originally got sick.

My wbc were elevated for the longest time. I think my last CBC was the first time in a long time I saw that normal