We know that blood is of vital importance to our body, just like the gasoline of a machine. Not to mention blood, it contains many different elements such as red and white blood cells. One of them is platelets, also called platelets. The distribution width of our platelets is measured with the PDW test and appears as the PDW value in the blood test results.
Since platelets have many important functions in our blood, especially clotting, attention should be paid to their distribution width, i.e. PDW value. Being below or above the normal value may be the precursor of many diseases, as well as the primary cause of some diseases. Let’s take a closer look at what PDW is and see in all details what low and high mean.
Let’s start with a basic definition; What is PDW?
Platelet Distribution Width, shortly PDW, in Turkish, platelet distribution width; It is a blood test value that reveals the size of platelets, which are one of the most important elements in our blood and also called platelets, platelets. PDW value is also extremely important because platelets undertake many different tasks in our blood, especially in coagulation.
In which situations is the PDW test always undesirable?
- When there are frequent bruises and bruises on the body
- In unexpected injuries
- In blood coagulation problems
- Frequent gum bleeding
- If blood is seen in the stool
- Frequent nosebleeds
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- In cases where menstrual periods are much more intense
- When subcutaneous red dots increase
- In suspected diabetes
- Suspicion of certain types of cancer
- In respiratory problems
- Suspicion of cardiovascular disease
- Suspicion of bone marrow disease
Here are some of the cases where the PDW test is requested and some of the disease suspicions. PDW is not always a measured value. If your doctor suspects one of the conditions we have listed, or for another reason, he or she may want to learn your platelet distribution width. Your PDW value is measured with a standard blood sample taken from the arm. If it will be done together with different tests, it may require preparation in advance.
What should be the ideal PDW value?
Although it varies according to the age, gender, diseases and drugs used by the person, a ratio between 26 and 65 percent, that is, a value between 9.0 and 14.0 fL, is considered the ideal PDW value.
What does high PDW mean with different symptoms?
If your PDW value is above the ideal range value, it is called PDW height. High PDW may be a harbinger of cardiovascular diseases, different types of cancer and bone marrow diseases. Conditions such as bruises on the body, tremors in the hands and feet, heart palpitations, nosebleeds are among the most important symptoms of high PDW.
Ok but why does PDW go up?
- using birth control pills
- Tuberculosis
- Anemia
- Arthritis
- types of cancer
- Infections
- Diabetes
- Heart diseases
- Vascular diseases
- respiratory diseases
- pulmonary embolism
In general, some of the diseases and conditions that cause high PDW are as follows. Of course, having high PDW does not necessarily mean that you have one of these diseases, but still, high PDW is suspected because it may be a harbinger of these diseases.
What does low PDW mean, which you can confuse with different conditions?
If your PDW value is below the ideal range value, it is called low PDW. Since there may be many different reasons, in case of low PDW, different tests are requested to reveal the reason for this situation. Conditions such as weakness, cold hands and feet, unreasonable chills, dizziness, irritability, forgetfulness, and tinnitus are among the most important symptoms of low PDW.
What causes low PDW?
- Leukemia
- Radiotherapy
- Chemotherapy
- Coagulation problems caused by different reasons
- aplastic anemia
- thrombocytosis
- irregular diet
- different viruses
- Different types of cancer
- Hepatitis
- menstrual bleeding
In general, some of the diseases and conditions that cause low PDW are like this. Of course, having low PDW does not necessarily mean that you have one of these diseases, but it is still suspected because low PDW may be a precursor to these diseases.
How are low and high PDW treated?
Obviously, it is not always possible to treat low or high PDW by yourself with a simple method such as eating walnuts is good. First of all, your doctor should find out why your platelet distribution width has changed. When the disease causing this condition occurs, an appropriate treatment method will be followed.
Just because there is no method you can apply at home without knowing the reason for the low or high PDW does not mean that you have to sit and wait. Eat healthy, exercise regularly, drink plenty of water, quit smoking. So take care of yourself, be sure, every value in a healthy body will be normal.
So when should you go to the doctor?
For this reason, no one goes to the doctor because they cannot feel the PDW value falling or rising at home. However, we have said that there are some symptoms that occur in case of high and low. If you have started to experience one or more of these frequently, you should definitely go to the nearest health institution and be examined.
We answered questions such as what is the PDW value, which shows the distribution width of platelets in our blood, and what does its low and high mean. What we describe is for informational purposes only. As with all health issues, remember that you should get the most accurate and specific information about your PDW value from a specialist physician.
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