PDW Blood Test: Understanding Platelet Distribution Width

The Platelet Distribution Width (PDW) test is part of a Complete Blood Count (CBC) test that examines the diversity in platelet size in the blood. The PDW blood test​ value assists doctors to determine if platelet sizes are uniform or variable, which might suggest a variety of health issues such as blood disorders, infections, and inflammatory illnesses. Let’s take an in-depth look at the PDW blood test and its results.  

What is the PDW Blood Test? 

The PDW blood test is a component of the CBC (Complete Blood Count) test procedure! Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are minute, colorless blood cell fragments that help with wound healing since they create clots to prevent bleeding when blood arteries are damaged. The PDW test evaluates the variability or distribution of platelet sizes, which means it assesses how much your platelets differ in size from one another. 

Platelets are typically consistent in size, but when your body is stressed or has an underlying health problem, they might become more diverse! A higher or lower PDW score might indicate various health issues, and that is why this test is considered an important marker in diagnostic blood testing. When tested by automated hematology analyzers, the PDW blood test normal range typically falls between 9.0% and 17.0% for adults. However, disorders affecting platelet activation, iron deficiency anemia, as well as age, gender, and hereditary variables, can all have an impact on your PDW levels.  

Benefits of a PDW Test 

Early Detection of Blood Disorders : PDW test identifies thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) and thrombocytosis (high platelet count), and it also helps to diagnose bone marrow abnormalities such as leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, and aplastic anemia. It can help distinguish between reactive thrombocytosis (infection/inflammation) and clonal thrombocytosis (bone marrow disease) as well. 

• Assessing Cardiovascular Health : High PDW levels suggest platelet activation, which can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in many cases. PDW also assesses platelet activity in persons with hypertension, diabetes, or excessive cholesterol who are at risk of arterial blockages! The test can assist in stroke prevention by detecting aberrant platelet function before serious issues arise. 
• Diagnosing Inflammation and Autoimmune Diseases : PDW test is useful for detecting chronic inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). PDW levels can also rise as a result of an immune response which makes it useful in diagnosing systemic infections and sepsis in patients. 
• Liver and Kidney Disease Monitoring : Cirrhosis and other liver problems can impair platelet production, and PDW test results can signal these platelet abnormalities. PDW results also help to monitor platelet dysfunction, which is typical in advanced renal disease. 
• Cancer Screening and Prognosis : Elevated PDW has been associated with a variety of cancers due to enhanced platelet activation and tumor-induced inflammation. That means this test can also help assess the impact of chemotherapy on platelet function. 
• Helps Diagnose Blood Clotting Disorders : The PDW test helps to assess disorders such as disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which is characterized by excessive clotting and platelet depletion. The test also helps to diagnose and monitor thrombotic diseases such as DVT and pulmonary embolism (PE) as well. 

How is the PDW Blood Test Performed? 

The PDW blood test is a simple procedure and takes little time to perform. A qualified healthcare expert takes a blood sample, usually from a vein in your arm, using a tiny needle so that it will cause only a slight bit of discomfort. Once collected, the sample is securely preserved in a tube, and the tube is subsequently delivered to a laboratory, where it is examined using an automated hematology analyzer. This machine determines the PDW value by analyzing the size variation of platelets in a blood sample and following the analysis, you will receive the test results from the lab.   

PDW Normal Range

The normal PDW range in adults is between 9.0% and 17.0%. A PDW value higher than 17% suggests greater fluctuation in platelet size, which may imply enhanced platelet activation! It is vital to remember that too high or too low PDW levels have both been linked to a variety of health issues.   

Health Risks of a High PDW Level   

PDW blood test high​ values indicate the following risk factors:  

• Cardiovascular Risks : PDW blood test high range may suggest aberrant platelet activation that can contribute to clot formation and result in disorders such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, or stroke. Elevated PDW is also associated with inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, which often contributes to arterial plaque development.   
• Hematologic Disorders : Variability in platelet size might suggest bone marrow problems such as thrombocytopenia, a disease that affects platelet production.   
• Inflammatory and Autoimmune Diseases : Elevated PDW is frequently linked to inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and a high PDW can also be an early warning sign of sepsis, suggesting systemic infection and immune response. 
• Liver and Kidney Disease : Liver disease can impair platelet synthesis and shape, and that results in an increase in PDW. Remember, impaired kidney function can cause platelet abnormalities, which will increase the risk of clotting.  
• Cancer : Elevated PDW has been linked to a variety of cancers, including lung, breast, and gastrointestinal cancers. This elevation in PDW happens due to enhanced platelet activation and tumor-induced inflammation. 

Health Risks of a Low PDW Level  

PDW in blood test low​ values indicate the following risk factors:  

• Bone Marrow and Blood Diseases : Low PDW may suggest a reduction in new platelet synthesis, and that can be caused by illnesses such as aplastic anemia, leukemia, or adverse effects from chemotherapy. Another issue it indicates is Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), a bone marrow illness that alters blood cell synthesis and can lead to decreased platelet size variability. 
• Bleeding Disorders : A continuously low PDW may indicate decreased platelet function, a factor that increases the risk of easy bruising, prolonged bleeding from injuries, and heavy menstrual bleeding! When PDW is low in conjunction with platelet count, it may also signal a problem with platelet synthesis, and that raises the risk of spontaneous bleeding. 
• Immune and Chronic Conditions : Some long-term infections can impair bone marrow function, which results in reduced platelet activity and PDW levels! Lupus and immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) can change platelet properties, which impact PDW levels. 
• Nutritional Deficiencies : Vitamin B12 and folate are essential elements for blood cell synthesis, and shortages of these vitamins can result in aberrant platelet shape and function, which produces a low PDW level result in the test. 

Final Remarks  

The PDW test is used to assess the size difference between platelets, one of the most significant cells in bone marrow. Platelets aid in blood clotting and lessen the likelihood of severe bleeding following an injury! Abnormally high or low PDW levels indicate various health issues that must be treated without delay to prevent permanent health damage or serious illness. 

To check your PDW levels, contact Pathkind Labs today! Expert technicians of this NABL-approved lab perform a Complete Blood Count test to detect the PDW value in your blood. The cutting-edge, modern laboratory helps the technicians produce accurate results that are delivered on the same day.