Wife got some blood work done recently, and three results (MCH, MCV, RDW) were slightly out of range and doctors started talking about anemia. I’ve heard the word plenty of times, but it’s never really explained or talked about. What is it, how serious is it, how common is it, etc?
In: Biology
Anemia is basically a lack of red blood cells, or ones that aren’t working well. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body, so when you’re anemic, you might feel tired or weak.
Here’s a breakdown of the three things mentioned in the results:
* **MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin):** This tells you the average amount of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein, in each red blood cell.
* **MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume):** This indicates the average size of the red blood cells.
* **RDW (Red blood cell Distribution Width):** This shows how much the red blood cells vary in size.
Slightly abnormal results in these areas can be a sign of anemia, but it’s not always serious. There are many types of anemia, and some are more common than others. It’s best to follow up with the doctor to understand what the results mean specifically.
Here’s some reassurance:
* Anemia is very common and treatable in most cases.
* Depending on the cause, treatments can range from simple dietary changes to supplements or medications.
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