Have you ever gotten a blood report, especially a full blood count, and wondered, "What's this?" If the RDW value on that report is higher than normal, your doctor may use the term "Anisocytosis." This word can be a little scary to hear, but don't worry. Let's talk about it simply and clearly today.
Simply put, what is Anisocytosis?
Anisocytosis is not a disease. It's a term used by doctors. Simply put, it means that your red blood cells (RBCs) are not all the same size, but are different sizes. Some cells may be larger than normal, some may be smaller, or a combination of both.
Normally, a healthy person's red blood cells are all about the same size. So this difference in size is just a signal to us about something else going on inside our body. Therefore, we consider this not as a disease, but as a symptom of an underlying condition.
Why are red blood cells so important to our bodies?
Think of it as a delivery service that carries oxygen throughout our bodies. That's what red blood cells do. They are formed in our bone marrow and mature in about 7 days.
- Main function: To carry oxygen, which enters the lungs when we breathe, to every cell in the body.
- The other function: to bring the carbon dioxide produced in those cells back to the lungs.
They do this by using a protein called hemoglobin . Red blood cells are also very special in shape. They are like a donut with no hole in the middle, and they are thin in the middle. This shape allows them to bend and move easily through even the smallest blood vessels in the body.
Changes in the size, shape, or number of these red blood cells can directly affect our health, as the body's oxygen supply may be impaired.
How do you know if you have anisocytosis?
Your doctor can use two main tests to find out this.
1. Complete Blood Count (CBC): This is the most commonly performed test. This report includes a value called RDW (Red Blood Cell Distribution Width) . This measures how much variation, or difference, there is in the size of your red blood cells.
- A high RDW value means there is a large variation in the size of the red blood cells.
- The normal RDW value should be between 12% and 15% .
- But remember, not every time your RDW value is elevated, it means you have a disease. This value can increase slightly with age, during pregnancy, and after a lot of exercise.
2. Peripheral Blood Smear (PBS): This involves taking a drop of your blood sample and looking at it under a microscope. This allows the doctor to see the size and shape of the red blood cells with both eyes.
Difference Between Anisocytosis and Poikilocytosis
Both of these terms are used to describe abnormalities in red blood cells. To easily understand the difference between the two, see the table below.
| Status | Description |
|---|---|
| Anisocytosis | Changes in the size of red blood cells (cells becoming larger or smaller) |
| Poikilocytosis | Changes in the shape of red blood cells (e.g. sickle-shaped, oval) |
Sometimes both of these conditions can occur together. This means that both the size and shape of the red blood cells are changed. This is usually seen in conditions like anemia .
What are the main causes of Anisocytosis?
The most common and leading cause of anisocytosis is anemia , which is what we call "blood deficiency." Anemia is the lack of healthy red blood cells that carry enough oxygen to your body's tissues.
Common symptoms of anemia
- Constant fatigue and excessive sleepiness
- Weakness
- Pale skin (pallor)
- Difficulty breathing, or wheezing, even with mild exertion
Types of Anisocytosis That Can Cause Anemia
| Anemia type | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Iron deficiency anemia | It is caused by a lack of iron in the body. In this case, the red blood cells are usually small (microcytosis). |
| Vitamin deficiency anemia | Caused by vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, red blood cells become abnormally large (Macrocytosis). |
| Sickle cell anemia | A hereditary condition in which red blood cells become sickle-shaped and are quickly destroyed. |
| Autoimmune hemolytic anemia | The destruction of the body's own red blood cells by the body's own immune system. |
Other conditions associated with Anisocytosis besides anemia
Researchers have found that in addition to anemia, the RDW value is increased in a number of other diseases. That is, the condition of Anisocytosis is seen. Therefore, the RDW value is also considered an indicator that gives some indication of the overall health status.
Other conditions that may be associated with anisocytosis include:
- Cardiovascular disease: Many people with conditions such as heart disease and coronary artery disease have high RDW values.
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Certain cancers: Cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, especially those that affect the bone marrow.
- COVID-19: Elevated RDW values have been observed in some COVID-19 patients, especially those with severe disease.
- This condition can also occur temporarily after a blood transfusion or due to certain medications.
The most important thing: Just because you're told about these conditions doesn't mean you need to panic. An elevated RDW value doesn't necessarily mean you have one of these diseases. It's simply a sign that you should seek further testing.
Take-Home Message
- Anisocytosis is not a disease. It is a medical condition that shows that your red blood cells are of different sizes. This can be identified by an elevated RDW value on a blood report.
- The most common cause of this is anemia caused by iron, vitamin B12, or folate deficiency.
- In addition to anemia, this can also be seen in other medical conditions such as heart, liver, and kidney diseases.
- Don't be alarmed by an elevated RDW value. It doesn't always indicate a serious medical condition.
- The most important and only advice is that if there is any change in your blood report, especially an increased RDW value, you should definitely talk to your doctor about it and seek his advice. Avoid self-diagnosis and self-treatment completely.
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