Can anyone tell what a higher than normal MCH and RDW mean in plain english? I've looked it up online and still found it hard to understand. Thanks

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Originally Posted by Tricky1549

Can anyone tell what a higher than normal MCH and RDW mean in plain english? I've looked it up online and still found it hard to understand. Thanks

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It's absolutely nothing to be concerned about. MCH is how much hemoglobin is in your red blood cells. If it's high, it means you're healthy! They are full of hemoglobin which means you are not anemic.

For RDW, I want you to picture a bunch of little red blood cells. Some are a little bigger and some are smaller. Some have a little funny shape. This is what the RDW is. The variation in size of the Red Blood cells. This is also fine.

Remember these numbers on your results are just ranges. Just like it might be "normal range" for you to weigh 120-135 according to a book, it does not take into account you may be 6 foot tall and weigh 150. You understand?

Thanks. (I wish I were that 150 lbs)

When the rdw is high it can mean that there is anemia. Especially if the hemoglobin and heatocrit are low at the same time. I hope this helps.