Labstories
Labstories exists to help you understand your labs and optimize your health. Because of the direct-to-consumer lab movement, there are now thousands of health conscious people who have their results, but don't what they mean or how to make them better!
If that's you, welcome to Labstories, where we help you understand your labs and optimize your health.
This podcast will tell stories about the CBC, CMP, A1c, testosterone, estrogen, cortisol, urinalysis, adrenal hormones, and much more!
In each episode we bring a lab to life with a story, clarify the most common abnormalities, teach you what matters, what doesn't, and show you how to move from the red to the black.
I'm your host Dr. Tom Schexnaildre. Let's go!
Labstories
Labstories Ep. 7 Red Cell Distribution Width: MORE Than Anemia! Does RDW Predict DEATH & Disease?
Red Cell Distribution Width!! Learn what RDW is, why it may be abnormal, and what you can do to fix it. RDW has been traditionally used to differentiate the causes of anemia, but a new study has shown it to be PREDICTIVE of death, cardiovascular disease, and strokes INDEPENDENT of anemia!
The most common causes of abnormal RDW are anemias, including iron deficiency and nutritional anemias B12 & Folate Deficiency. BUT... elevated RDW independent of anemia reflects more old red blood cells in circulation, which are not as good as younger ones in terms of fighting infections. Normal RDW is really important in terms of optimizing your health!
Free weight loss checklist! https://labstories.ck.page/d1a7599ef2
Red Cell Distribution Width!! Learn what RDW is, why it may be abnormal, and what you can do to fix it. RDW has been traditionally used to differentiate the causes of anemia, but a new study has shown it to be PREDICTIVE of death, cardiovascular disease, and strokes INDEPENDENT of anemia!
The most common causes of abnormal RDW are anemias, including iron deficiency and nutritional anemias B12 & Folate Deficiency. BUT... elevated RDW independent of anemia reflects more old red blood cells in circulation, which are not as good as younger ones in terms of fighting infections. Normal RDW is really important in terms of optimizing your health!
B12 & Folate Supplements Summary: https://labstories.ck.page/b12folate
🩸For Iron Deficiency Anemia:
Thorne Iron Bisglycinate: https://amzn.to/3AwryrN
Pure Encapsulations Iron glycinate/aspartate/Vitamin C: https://amzn.to/3X6NkuV
Heme Iron! Proferrin Clear polypeptide iron: https://amzn.to/4dA38Mx
Feramax 150 Iron Polydextrose:: https://amzn.to/3yTwG8P
🧠B12
Thorne Methylcobalamin B12: https://amzn.to/4dN98RI
Pure Encapsulations Methylcobalamin: https://amzn.to/4dimJQq
🥗Folate
For Folic Acid Deficiency: Thorne 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate: https://amzn.to/3Zs08xG
0:00 Intro
0:26 What is RDW?
1:01 Coefficient of Variation & St Dev
1:38 Normal Range
1:42 Actual RDW Calculation
2:27 Is Low RDW Bad?
4:09 Iron Deficiency
4:34 B12 & Folate Deficiency
5:08 Sickle Cell & Thalassemias
5:39 Mentzer Index (Beta Thal vs. IDA)
6:11 Quiz!
7:08 Does RDW Predict DEATH & Disease?
8:23 How to FIX RDW
8:50 Your Next Steps
This content is not medical advice and is for general informational purposes only. None of the information provided constitutes the practice of medicine, or any professional healthcare services. No doctor patient relationship has been formed. Information contained here is used at the consumer’s own risk. No one should delay or disregard in obtaining professional medical advice or treatment for any health-related issue. The information provided is in no way a substitute for medical advice.