What does rdw mean in a blood test?

Pronunciation

No pronunciation provided 🔊

Part of Speech

Medical term

Definition

RDW stands for Red Cell Distribution Width, which is a blood test that measures the width of red blood cells. It is used to diagnose and monitor various blood disorders, such as anemia, iron-deficiency anemia, and chronic kidney disease.

Examples

• RDW is an important test for patients with unexplained anemia or low red blood cell count.
• RDW helps healthcare providers distinguish between different types of anemia.

Synonyms

• Red Cell Distribution Width test
• Anemia test

Etymology

RDW is a medical term that originated in the 1980s to describe a new method for measuring red blood cell size.

Usage Notes

RDW is typically used as a diagnostic test in a healthcare setting. It is not typically used in everyday conversation.

Cultural References

RDW is not typically referenced in popular culture, as it is a medical term with a specific meaning and purpose.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

RDW is typically used in medical contexts and is not part of any common idioms or phrases.

Related Words or Phrases

• Anemia
• Iron-deficiency anemia
• Chronic kidney disease

Collocations

• RDW test result
• Abnormal RDW value

Frequency of Use

RDW is commonly used in medical settings, but it is not a frequently used term in everyday conversation.

Common Misspellings

• Red Cell Distrobution Width
• Red Cell Distibution Width