Red Cell Indiceshttp://www.lrc.arizona.edu/webpath2/TUTORIAL/HGB/RBCMORPH.HTM

• Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) = standard deviation of MCV

• The RDW is calculated to provide a measure of the anisocytosis, or variation in size of the RBC's

• A low MCV together with an increased RDW is strongly suggestive of iron deficiency and when accompanied by an increased erythrocyte protoporphyrin, can be considered diagnostic

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