What does MCH 26.2 Low and RDW 15.1 High mean.

[AjahY]

Well I just want to know because I do have chromosome 9 deletion which is very rare. My 2nd cousin has sickle cell anemia on my maternal side. What could this be they be saying almost since I could remember iron deficiency but I take iron pills and nothing working on and off be have iron deficiency. I do not think that is what it is. Please help!

[radd]

Ajahy,

Welcome to our forum and sorry to hear you feel unwell.

A low MCH (mean corpuscular haemoglobin) and high RDW (elevated red cell distribution width) can mean a low red blood cell count, which indicates anaemia.

Anaemia may be due either iron deficiency or folate and vitamin B12 and results should be looked at considering the whole picture of the complete blood count test.

Do you have a thyroid problem ? ? ...

If you advise what you are medicating and post any recent blood test results complete with ranges (numbers in brackets) members will comment.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to radd]

The high RDW means that instead of all the red cells being more or less the same size - some are smaller and some are larger. They are more spread out in size than is expected. This is typical of, as radd says, iron deficiency when there is ALSO B12 (and/or folate) deficiency.

That is, low iron makes some cells too small. Low B12 makes some cells too large.

However, in the context of any blood disorder that affects red cell shape, all bets are off. You need someone who understands.

[AjahY in reply to radd]

No I do not have thyroid problems

[radd in reply to AjahY]

AjahY,

You may find the forums below can supply you will more informed answers.

.

Pernicious Anaemia Society

healthunlocked.com/pasoc

.

Sickle Cell Society

healthunlocked.com/sicklece...

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to AjahY]

Most people reading your post on the Thyroid UK forum would expect you to have some thyroid issues. Even if it is only "I think I might have ..." or "Have been told that ...".

Otherwise we are left wondering why you chose to post here rather than somewhere else?

[Gambit62]

B12 deficiency unlikely as it is associated with deformations that make red blood cells rounder which would go with a high MCH rather than a low MCH.

personally sickle cell sounds much more likely as an explanation to me - but please talk things through with your GP if you are concerned.

The genetic variant that causes sickle cell anaemia is associated with higher resistance to malaria. It isn't necessarily a problem - it rather depends on the extent to which sickle cells are present in the blood. Please do talk things through with your doctor though - can't emphasise that enough.

You might also find this forum useful

healthunlocked.com/sicklece...