Red Cell Distribution Width

[Havanahula]

Hi…my blood tests have been showing ‘normal’ fr Crp Esr …everything except a consistently high Red cell distribution width above 18 I have been diagnosed with GCA but could this mean more likely Vasculitis am worried

[PMRpro Ambassador]

GCA IS a vasculitis.

The RDW on its own, in isolation, doesn't really mean a lot. It can be raised in anaemia and that is very common in chronic conditions. It may also increase in various autoimmune disorders,

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

As you are diagnosed with GCA, you already have vasculitus-

nhs.uk/conditions/vasculitis/

[Havanahula in reply to DorsetLady]

Right thank you I didn’t know there was little distinction. However I am definitely not anaemic so wonder what auto immune disease this could be. I have significant stenosis affecting my right arm pins and needles mostly when lying down..no one seems interested in investigating this

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Havanahula]

GCA is an autoimmune vasculitis and can cause stenosis in the subclavian artery, When you say no-one - is that in the GP practice?

[Havanahula in reply to PMRpro]

Yes no follow up after diagnosis. I haven’t mentioned to Rheumatologist as imagined he would do something to investigate further at appropriate time ?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Havanahula]

What he doesn't know - he doesn't know. So you need to make sure he does know.

[Havanahula in reply to PMRpro]

The rheumatologist wrote about the stenosis in his initial letter to GP at diagnosis it was seen on an ultrasound prior to my first appointment with him.. So he and GP know about it

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Havanahula]

Probably forgotten. I would want some discussion of a subclavian stenosis if it is causing symptoms.

[Havanahula in reply to PMRpro]

It was causing symptoms right from the start. I couldn’t lie down for ultrasound as it was so unbearable halfway through I asked to sit up and do it. However you have made me think back and he probably was not aware of the ‘numbness/ pins and needles ‘ that I have been having

I have appt in 8 weeks coming so will mention then

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Havanahula]

It is always a good idea to mention any numbness or pins and needles as there are a lot of things that could cause it that need to be identified.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Havanahula]

Well they should be … as PMRpro asks, is that GP or Rheumy?

[Havanahula in reply to DorsetLady]

Neither have followed up on. I don’t like to push

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Havanahula]

Sometimes you have to push... even though it might be difficult.

[Havanahula in reply to DorsetLady]

I am being sent an appointment for 8 weeks with the Consultant who diagnosed me . Might be a telephone rather than f to f. I told the GCA nurse I no longer wanted to take Alendronic Acid and didn’t want an alternative at present without talking to someone about it will mention about stenosis then

[bookish in reply to Havanahula]

What are your vit B12 and folate levels like? Either being low could raise RDW. Also low iron - do you have an MCV result? You don't have to be anaemic to have Pernicious Anaemia, and you can be deficient at cellular level with any serum level. PA is only one form of B12 deficiency. Testing is poor and can be confusing.

[Skodadet]

I have high RDW too and have been told I have "spurious polycythemia" whatever that is. Also have high number of red blood cells.