Why are hematocrit readings important

Newborn babies have high hematocrit levels that gradually decrease as they get older. If a person has recently received a blood transfusion, it may affect their results. Additionally, pregnant individuals may have lower levels than usual because the body increases its blood volume during pregnancy. Other factors may push levels into a higher range, such as smoking and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD. When a person has low hematocrit levels they tend to present with the following symptoms:.

These symptoms also indicate anemia, a condition where hemoglobin levels are lower than normal. Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body. Mild anemia is treatable, and it is particularly common in women. Severe anemia could signal a more serious underlying health condition that requires more extensive treatment. Doctors associate anemia with several health conditions that include :.

A person may lack B12, folate , or iron in their diet. Learn more about how nutrient deficiency anemia is diagnosed and treated. This commonly occurs due to digestive tract ulcers , which are sores caused by the bacteria H. Many women also experience excessive blood loss from heavy menstrual bleeding. This includes aplastic anemia , which damages stem cells in bone marrow. These are cancers that spread to bone marrow, such as leukemia and lymphoma.

Learn more about bone marrow cancers here. When a person has this condition, their body does not produce enough hemoglobin. Learn more about thalassemia here. This condition changes the shape of red blood cells. These cells die earlier than normal, and they also clump together, which impairs blood flow. Learn more about sickle cell anemia here. Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus may reduce red blood cell count. Learn more about autoimmune diseases here. When a person has high hematocrit levels they tend to present with these symptoms:.

These symptoms signal polycythemia, a condition where the body produces too many red blood cells. This means blood is thicker and clots more easily.

Doctors cannot cure polycythemia, so treatment tends to focus on symptom management. The main goal is to avoid stroke and deep vein thrombosis DVT , which is a blood clot usually occurring in a deep vein in the leg. In some cases, dehydration causes polycythemia. When a person does not drink enough, their plasma levels drop, and this increases the proportion of red blood cells in their blood volume.

A person can lower their red blood cell count by rehydrating. Some conditions that can cause high hematocrit levels include :.

When the lungs cannot absorb oxygen effectively and oxygen levels drop, the body compensates by making more red blood cells. There is very little risk to having a hematocrit test or other type of blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.

If your results are not in the normal range, it doesn't necessarily mean that you have a medical condition requiring treatment. To learn more about your results, talk to your health care provider. Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results. Many factors can affect your hematocrit levels, including a recent blood transfusion, pregnancy , or living at a high altitude. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice.

Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Hematocrit Test. What is a hematocrit test? What is it used for?

Why do I need a hematocrit test? What happens during a hematocrit test? Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test? Are there any risks to the test?

What do the results mean? A lab specialist will add a special anticoagulant to keep your blood from clotting. Each component will settle in a different part of the tube, with the red blood cells moving to the bottom of the tube. The red blood cells are then compared to a guide that tells what proportion of your blood they make up. While the laboratory that tests the blood sample may have its own ranges, generally accepted ranges for hematocrit depend on your gender and age.

Typical ranges are as follows:. Children ages 15 and under have a separate set of ranges, as their hematocrit levels change rapidly with age. The specific lab that analyzes the results will determine the normal hematocrit range for a child of a certain age. Pregnancy can decrease your blood urea nitrogen BUN levels due to increased fluid in your body. A recent blood transfusion can also affect your results.

If you live at a high altitude, your hematocrit levels tend to be higher due to reduced amounts of oxygen in the air. Your doctor will likely compare the results of your hematocrit test to the other parts of the CBC test and your overall symptoms before making a diagnosis. A hematocrit test is not associated with any major side effects or risks. You may have some bleeding or throbbing at the site where the blood is drawn. The test is usually part of a complete blood count….

A complete blood count, or CBC, measures several components of your blood and can help diagnose a broad range of conditions, from anemia and to cancer. Blood cell disorders impair the formation and function of red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets.

Has your doctor advised you to increase your red blood cell count? These supplements and lifestyle changes may help.