What happens to the Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) in the early stages of iron deficiency anemia?
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Correct answer: It increases as smaller cells begin to appear
RDW measures the variation in red blood cell size (anisocytosis). In early iron deficiency, the RDW increases because the marrow begins producing microcytic cells, creating a diverse population of cell sizes.
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More Iron Deficiency Anemia questions
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