Question

with chronic iron deficiency how are mcv and rdw impacted?
mcv decreases, rdw decreases
mcv increases, rdw increases
mcv decreases, rdw increases
mcv decreases, rdw stays the same

Explanation:

• MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume): In chronic iron deficiency, there is insufficient iron for hemoglobin synthesis. Red blood cells (RBCs) are produced in a smaller size as the body tries to make RBCs with limited iron. So, MCV (which measures the average volume of RBCs) decreases.
• RDW (Red Cell Distribution Width): RDW measures the variability in RBC volume. In chronic iron - deficiency, as the body's response to iron deficiency progresses, there is a greater variation in RBC size. Newer RBCs are smaller (due to ongoing iron deficiency), while some older RBCs may be of relatively normal size (if iron deficiency was not as severe in the past). So, RDW increases.

Answer:

MCV decreases, RDW increases