Low MCV, MCH, high RDW, elevated WBC?

Dear Heather,

regarding red blood cells:

(Every mathematical value from 'RBC' until 'Platelets' in this list is concerning red blood cells).

I myself have constantly too small, hence too little Hb filled, but due to number still normal mean of Hb red blood cells in my blood, for decades, I feel no tiredness, so it doesn't bother me. Not saying to just dismiss it, but these red blood cell findings seems a common finding for females. (Different to wbc and mpv though):

In detail:

Your RED blood cells are many, but small (MCV, average red blood cell volume),

hence because of being small, even a normal distribution of haemoglobin within is small (MCH, average haemoglobin in each red blood cell), it has no space to pack more in into this bag (cell) - that goes hand in hand.

Your MCHC, a mean concentration of haemoglobin per liter in full blood is still normal, because their number is high (on the higher end, so multiplying up little amount of haemoglobin, gives still a normal distribution of haemoglobin), like also Hgb itself multiplies up to normal value still.

Yet it can still be called a form of mild anaemia.

This "small red blood cell" is called microcytosis.

They are made too fast. The RDW shows the size difference between red blood cells. Also a sign of too fast making them.

The most common reason for this is

iron deficiency,

but also vitamin deficiency.

You might also want to check a human blood search sample in stool to exclude an intestinal blood loss. 

It's a simple test. Note though, the smallest anal fissure (or never on menstruation date) will give you a positive result with nothing happening inside guts.

Platelet size is on the smaller end, too.

(bigger size usually more known as that means huge platelets, released to quickly into blood stream). Can also be like with red cells a production problem due to simply nutrient missing.

Concern about small platelets please to raise to doc as this is not the only explanation. It can be from very normal to a sign of something going on. Those blood values are such basic tests, they say nothing as to why something is happening and if it was actually your normal norm (unless you had good comparison values).

Even if it was 'nutrient' deficiency, it doesn't mean, it is only eating wrong things, it concerns absorption of nutrients after eating the best of foods. It's such a huge field and taking so long to pin down what is exaclty happening. You need a lot of patience and trial and errors, too.

You mention a 'cough', you did have some form of imaging, didn't you?

I hence don't like those basic blood tests as they do not include or exclude much.

For white blood cells it needs as a basic not expensive test of their distribution, which gives clues what they are fighting. (differential white blood)

Usually this should be automatically done when they are over the normal range, even not far over the normal range (% or numbers lymphocytes, neutrophiles...just to see, if it looks like an good visible fought infection or not).

A CRP (inflammation protein) would be no mistake either.

This value says nothing of what is going on at all unfortunately. It says though to check it again and in more details or go looking where the problem lies.

Depending on your symptoms your clinician, specialist should go from there regarding white blood cells and small cell volumes. It's hard to say anything from pure words.

You can only alter your eating habits

in the meantime prior your next blood test (give it some weeks or even months, red cells take 3 months to be renewed, you won't see a change a week later even if problem was tackled),

your iron is not high, the iron binding protein has ample space to take more in, it is trying to gather more iron actually.

Please if you can (never know about peoples' digestion!) take in fruits, fruits, fruits, veggies, veggies, dark greens, they are a power to support you better than any pill. 

Sometimes that's all it needs. If not, at least  you know it is not that.

Nutrient deficiencies can also stem from some gut problems, it might be ok with gluten, it might not.

You can only try for 4 weeks changes in your diet and see how you feel and if bloods come back differently.

As said, I would ask for a blood in stool test, too, and some lung imaging, just to be on the safe side.

Take good care and enjoy those fruits packed with energy of life!