Long term elevated RDW?
 

My blood is monitored biweekly and I have had elevated RDW (reference range 11-15 and I've been over 15 since beginning of year) which has been increasing and now as of yesterday the RDW at 18.

There are other values out of range (low Hemoglobin, low Hematocrit, low MCH) but from my research it seems this is the most problematic. Anyone have any insight beyond this is indication of red blood cell size variation? I have read it may be indicative of higher risk of cardiovascular death and it is my understanding this is possibly side effect of being on cellcept for a year now? I also take 20 mg prednisone daily (2 years) and IVIG every 3 weeks (1.5 years)

Thanks for any insight

Stephanie

My RDW has been elevated since MG symptoms began prior to prednisone and cellcept. The highest it has been is 28 and has never been normal since. When my MG is bad I get anemic and the RDW goes way up. I also had sphereocytes in my blood so I think I have an autoimmune hemolytic anemia, it only seems to kick off when the MG is bad or vice versa. I suggest you ask for a manual differential with your next blood work. MGers often have more than 1 autoimmune disease. Lupus, pernicious anemia and autoimmune hemolytic anemia are often found in MGers that might cause the anemia and high RDW. Talk with your doctor.

good luck
kathie

Hi, Stephanie.

I agree with Kathie, in that you might want to ask for a peripheral blood smear so that they might look at your cells to see what's up.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24016543

http://emedicine.medscape.com/articl...view#aw2aab6b3

Have they ever checked your C-reactive protein?

A hematologist could help to evaluate the situation and reassure you about it. It can be a long-term risk, but is it enough to drop a drug or two? Only your doctors can discuss that!

At least don't stress out about it until you can get it figured out. ;)

Annie

Kathie/Annie

Thanks for the advice/insight.

I have appointment with neuro next week so your information is very timely...I will followup with him on these suggestions as I have not asked/done any of the things you suggest/stated.

Stephanie