Cause of High RDW?? - Babesia cause anemia?

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I dont know if it helps at all but I know someone with a confirmed Duncani infection whose RDW(cv) is normal at 13.1 but their RDW(ed) is high at 49.8
Their MCV has also been high for some time at 102.3

Im sorry its (sd) not 'ed' . sd is standard deviation and should be above the cv value.


Red blood cell distribution width (RDW or RDW-CV or RCDW and RDW-SD) is a measure of the range of variation of red blood cell (RBC) volume that is reported as part of a standard complete blood count. Usually red blood cells are a standard size of about 6-8 μm in diameter. Certain disorders, however, cause a significant variation in cell size. Higher RDW values indicate greater variation in size. Normal reference range of RDW-CV in human red blood cells is 11.5-14.5%. If anemia is observed, RDW test results are often used together with mean corpuscular volume (MCV) results to determine the possible causes of the anemia. It is mainly used to differentiate an anemia of mixed causes from an anemia of a single cause.

Indication of RDW Result

There are many things your red blood cells can tell your doctor about your health. Here are just a few of the important points about red blood cell distribution width:

In most cases, the RDW can help determine several points about your health, from your chances of developing an iron deficiency to different types of anemia that you may be suffering from.
The RDW is most helpful in alerting your doctor to the fact that there is a problem, which will then prompt him or her to call for further tests that will provide more detailed results.

1. Normal RDW and Low MCV

If you have this on your lab work, it could indicate anemia caused by a chronic disease, heterozygous thalassemia, or hemoglobin E trait.

2. Elevated RDW and Low MCV

Sickle cell anemia and iron deficiencies can be indicated by this combination of factors. In order to determine more clearly what the problem is, more detailed testing will have to be done.

3. Normal RDW and High MCV

This can be a bit more serious, depending upon the condition: You might have aplastic anemia or chronic liver disease. The use of antivirals, alcohol or chemotherapy can also prompt this result in your blood work.

4. Elevated RDW and High MCV

If both numbers are high, you might be looking at a wide variety of potential problems, including immune hemolytic anemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, or a significant folate or vitamin B12 deficiency. Chronic liver disease can also cause this, as can cytoxic chemotherapy.

5. Normal RDW and Normal MCV

Just because the numbers are “normal” doesn’t mean that all is well. On the contrary, a normal number for both of these can indicate anemia of chronic disease, anemia of renal disease, acute blood loss or hemolysis.

6. Elevated RDW and Normal MCV

These numbers can be associated with a wide variety of conditions. These include sickle cell disease, chronic liver disease or myelodysplastic syndrome. Other problems might include early stages of folate, vitamin B12 or iron deficiency. It might also mean you have dimorphic anemia, which is a marked iron or folate deficiency, just to name a few of the problems that can cause dimorphic anemia.

These blood cell counts are usually part of a normal, routine blood work that your doctor might use to determine your general overall health and possibly pinpoint any issues that might be causing adverse symptoms. Keep in mind that no matter what the RDW indicates, further tests are always necessary to help determine exactly what is wrong and how it should be treated.

"6. Elevated RDW and Normal MCV

These numbers can be associated with a wide variety of conditions. These include sickle cell disease, chronic liver disease or myelodysplastic syndrome. Other problems might include early stages of folate, vitamin B12 or iron deficiency. It might also mean you have dimorphic anemia, which is a marked iron or folate deficiency, just to name a few of the problems that can cause dimorphic anemia.

These blood cell counts are usually part of a normal, routine blood work that your doctor might use to determine your general overall health and possibly pinpoint any issues that might be causing adverse symptoms. Keep in mind that no matter what the RDW indicates, further tests are always necessary to help determine exactly what is wrong and how it should be treated."


I guess I should be checking my ferritin again. My hemoglobin is good. So, is RBC, hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW and Platelet count.


Is it just a coincidence that it showed raised about a month after starting Babesia treatment and has continued to rise over 6 months...while still on Babesia treatment?

This is after it's been in range for over 2 1/2 years prior when treating lyme and bart.

My GFR and Creatinine (kidneys) is good, and same with liver enzymes.


I'm just going to push on with Babs treatment for awhile longer...and then switch back to bartoella (again)

Why I want to know - if Babs can cause destruction of RBC then it helps me twofold.

1) It confirms I DO have Babesia and

2) It explains the RDW being high so puts my mind at ease (Can cross leukemia off the list)

It's my regular Dr. who does my lab tests.

I haven't discussed this recent result with her yet.

When it was just 14.9 she wasn't concerned at all....said it was just slightly elevated.

I guess I'll see what she has to say with the higher one now.