What happens if hematocrit is low?

A low hematocrit level means the are too few red blood cells in the body. In these cases, a person may experience symptoms that signal anemia. Common symptoms include fatigue, weakness, and low energy. If a person has too many red blood cells, they have a high hematocrit level.

What does it mean if hematocrit is high?

If your hematocrit is high, it means that you have more red blood cells than is considered healthy. High hematocrit may be caused by [4:1]: Heart disease. Dehydration.

What does it mean if a patient has a hematocrit of 30?

Decreased HCT is an indicator of anemia, a disorder in which there is a reduction in the PCV. An HCT under 30% means that the patient is moderately to severely anemic.

What does hematocrit level tell you?

A hematocrit test measures how much of your blood is made up of red blood cells. Red blood cells contain a protein called hemoglobin that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Hematocrit levels that are too high or too low can indicate a blood disorder, dehydration, or other medical conditions.

What can cause low hematocrit?

A lower than normal hematocrit can indicate:

• An insufficient supply of healthy red blood cells (anemia)
• A large number of white blood cells due to long-term illness, infection or a white blood cell disorder such as leukemia or lymphoma.
• Vitamin or mineral deficiencies.
• Recent or long-term blood loss.

What causes high RBC and hematocrit?

Possible Causes Medical conditions that can cause an increase in red blood cells include: Heart failure, causing low blood oxygen levels. Congenital heart disease (born with it) Polycythemia vera (a blood disorder in which the bone marrow produces too many red blood cells)

How does hematocrit improve?

What can I do to increase my low hematocrit? Increasing the consumption of red meat (liver in particular), fish and shellfish (oysters, clams, shrimp, and scallops), dried fruit (apricots, prunes, and peaches), green leafy vegetables, beans, iron fortified breads and cereals, all rich in iron, may help.

What hematocrit level is considered anemic?

Normal hematocrit levels vary based on age and race.. In adults, normal levels for men range from 41%-50%. For women, the normal range is slightly lower: 36%-44%. A hematocrit level below the normal range, meaning the person has too few red blood cells, is called anemia.

What does a hematocrit of 35 mean?

The average healthy adult should have a normal hematocrit level that ranges between 35% to 50%. A normal hematocrit level for women is 36.1% to 44.3%. For men, a normal range is 40.7% to 50.3%. The normal numbers vary a little from lab to lab.

How do you treat low hematocrit?

Most people are not treated with medications or procedures if the hematocrit is only slightly above or below the normal levels. Some patients with very low hematocrits may require intravenous iron, transfusions or medications to stimulate the production of red cells by the bone marrow.