Newcastle Laboratories

Red Cell Distribution Width (part of FBC)

Clinical Background:

A measurement of the variation in Red Blood Cell volume and is part of the standard FBC and is used in the assessment of anaemias, although a number of conditions causing anaemia may present with a...

A measurement of the variation in Red Blood Cell volume and is part of the standard FBC and is used in the assessment of anaemias, although a number of conditions causing anaemia may present with a normal RDW. It is calcualted from the (Standard Deviation of the MCV/mean MCV) * 100. The units are % and normal range is 11.5 - 14.5%

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Test Details

  • Discipline:

    Haematology

    Haematology

  • Specimen Container Adult:

    Purple - EDTA

    Purple - EDTA

  • Specimen Container Paediatric:

    Light Pink - EDTA

    Light Pink - EDTA

  • Minimum Volume Adult:

    1.0mL

    1.0mL

  • Minimum Volume Paediatric:

    0.5mL

    0.5mL

  • Special Requirement:

    Ensure adequate mixing.

    Ensure adequate mixing.

  • Sample Stability:

    24 hrs

    24 hrs

  • Transport Requirements:

    Samples should be transported to lab without delay

    Samples should be transported to lab without delay

  • Freq Analysis:

    Continuous

    Continuous

  • Add On Test:

  • Quality Assurance:

    UK NEQAS Haematology

    UK NEQAS Haematology

  • Reference Ranges:

    Red Cell Distribution Width 10.0 - 14.0%

    Red Cell Distribution Width 10.0 - 14.0%

  • Other Info:

    As part of a full blood count.

    As part of a full blood count.

  • Routine Contact Name:

    RVI or Freeman Section Leaders

  • Routine Telephone:

    RVI: 0191 2820332, Freeman: 0191 2231195

    RVI: 0191 2820332, Freeman: 0191 2231195

  • Specialist Test:

    No

    No

  • Specialist Contact Name:

    Haematology and Haemostasis Healthcare Scientist

    Haematology and Haemostasis Healthcare Scientist

  • Specialist Telephone:

    0191 2139758

    0191 2139758

  • Specialist Email:

    alison.brown93@nhs.net

    alison.brown93@nhs.net

Availability:

All times, both sites

Turn Around:

Urgent within 1 hour.

Routine within 4 hours.

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