Reasons For Low Hemoglobin And Hematocrit Levels – Hematocrit (HCT) refers to the proportion of red blood cells in an individual’s blood. Adults with XY chromosomes tend to have an HCT of 40% to 54%, while adults with XX chromosomes have an HCT of 36% to 48%. In addition to RBCs, blood has three other main components: white blood cells, platelets, and plasma.

Hematocrit measures the percentage of red blood cells in the total blood volume. A hematocrit test can be done using a capillary tube and a centrifuge machine (that is, a machine that uses centrifugal force to separate blood substances of different densities). Usually, hematocrit levels are identified as part of a complete blood count (CBC), but they can be tested alone. However, a CBC is the most common blood test that measures HCT while measuring red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin levels, and platelets.

Reasons For Low Hemoglobin And Hematocrit Levels

Hematocrit is a very useful laboratory finding, as too few or too many red blood cells can be a clinical indicator of various medical conditions, such as anemia or polycythemia, respectively. It can also be used to monitor individuals after surgery, to prevent or screen for complications, such as internal bleeding.

Low Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Rbc, And Platelets

Low hematocrit levels, also known as anemia, can be the result of decreased balloon production, increased blood loss, increased balloon destruction, or a combination of these.

The most common cause of a low hematocrit level is chronic (eg, ulcers, colon cancer) or acute (eg, trauma, internal bleeding) significant blood loss. Of note, individuals of reproductive age who are assigned female at birth may have a low hematocrit due to menstruation. However, the hematocrit may also decrease due to peripheral destruction of the globes, as seen in sickle cell anemia, where the globes have a shorter lifespan; and splenomegaly (ie, enlargement of the spleen), where large numbers of healthy red blood cells are destroyed in the spleen. Another cause of low hematocrit is decreased production of platelets, as seen in chronic inflammatory diseases, or bone marrow suppression caused by radiation therapy, malignancy, or drugs such as chemotherapy. Finally, malnutrition (eg iron, B12 and folate deficiencies) and overhydration can also lead to a decrease in hematocrit levels.

Dehydration due to repeated vomiting, overheating, or limited access to fluids can cause hemoconcentration. Also, low oxygen availability triggers the formation of new blood cells to transport oxygen throughout the body and can be caused by smoking; great heights; congenital heart disease; or certain lung disorders, such as pulmonary fibrosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition, polycythemia vera, which is characterized by overproduction of red blood cells as a result of increased bone marrow stimulation (ie, myeloproliferation), can cause a high hematocrit level. Also, increased erythropoietin production, due to androgen use or erythropoietin production by kidney, liver, and ovarian tumors, can also increase hematocrit. Finally, various pathologies of the endocrine system, such as Cushing’s syndrome, can also cause a high level of hematocrit.

Hematocrit measures the percentage of red blood cells in the total blood volume. A hematocrit test can detect various medical conditions and especially blood disorders. Low hematocrit levels, also known as anemia, can be the result of decreased RBC production, increased blood loss, increased RBC destruction, or a combination of the above. On the other hand, high hematocrit levels can be the result of hemoconcentration or RBC overproduction, which can be caused by several factors.

Rbc Blood Test: Normal Ranges And Diagnostic Uses

Dixon, L. R. (1997). Complete blood count: physiological basis and clinical use. The Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing, 11 (3), 1-18. DOI: 10.1097/00005237-199712000-00003

Kragh-Hansen, U. (2018). Possible mechanisms by which enzymatic degradation of human serum albumin may yield bioactive peptides and biomarkers. Frontiers in molecular biosciences, 5: 63. DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2018.00063 Polycythemia (also known as polycythemia) is a laboratory finding in which the hematocrit (percentage of red blood cells by volume in the blood) and/or hemoglobin concentration is increased. in the blood Polycythemia is sometimes called erythrocytosis, and there is considerable overlap in the two findings, but the terms are not the same: polycythemia describes an increase in hematocrit and/or hemoglobin, while erythrocytosis describes an increase in the number of red blood cells. blood.

Absolute polycythemia can result from genetic mutations in the bone marrow (“primary polycythemia”), physiological adaptations to one’s environment, medications, and/or other health conditions.

Laboratory tests such as serum erythropoietin levels and genetic studies may be helpful in clarifying the cause of polycythemia if the physical examination and history do not reveal a likely cause.

Anemia In Pregnancy

Mild polycythemia itself is often asymptomatic. Treatment for polycythemia varies, and usually involves treating its underlying cause.

Treatment of primary polycythemia (see polycythemia vera) may include phlebotomy, platelet therapy to reduce the risk of blood clots, and adjunctive cytoreductive therapy to reduce the number of red blood cells produced in the bone marrow.

Polycythemia is defined as serum hematocrit (Hct) or hemoglobin (HgB) exceeding the normal ranges expected for age and sex, typically Hct > 49% m in healthy adults and > 48% in women, or HgB > 16.5 g/dL m or > 16.0 g/dL in women.

Different diseases or conditions can cause polycythemia in adults. These processes are discussed in more detail in the respective sections below.

Hematocrit Vs. Hemoglobin: Normal Range For Cbc Panel

Relative polycythemia is not a true increase in the number of red blood cells or hemoglobin, but rather an elevated laboratory finding caused by reduced blood plasma (hypovolemia, cf. dehydration). Relative polycythemia is often caused by loss of body fluids, such as from burns, dehydration, and stress.

A specific type of relative polycythemia is Gaisböck syndrome. In this syndrome, which occurs mainly in obese m, hypertension causes a decrease in plasma volume, resulting (among other changes) in a relative increase in the number of red blood cells.

If relative polycythemia is unlikely because the patient has no other signs of hemoconstriction and has undergone polycythemia without net loss of body fluids, absolute or true polycythemia is likely.

Neonatal polycythemia is defined as hematocrit >65%. Significant polycythemia may be associated with blood hyperviscosity or blood thickness. Causes of polycythemia in newborns include:

Causes Of Elevated Hemoglobin And Hematocrit

The pathophysiology of polycythemia varies depending on its cause. Red blood cells (or erythropoiesis) in the body are regulated by erythropoietin, which is a protein produced by the kidneys in response to poor oxygen supply.

As a result, more erythropoietin is produced to produce red blood cells and increase their oxygen-carrying capacity. This results in secondary polycythemia, which may be an appropriate response to hypoxic conditions such as chronic smoking, obstructive sleep apnea, and high altitude.

In addition, certain genetic conditions can impair the body’s oxygen levels in a way that is detectable in serum, which leads to excessive production of erythropoietin without hypoxia or impaired oxygen delivery to tissues.

Alternatively, certain types of cancer, especially squamous cell carcinoma, and medications such as testosterone use can cause inadequate production of erythropoietin, which stimulates the production of red blood cells, despite adequate oxygenation.

Ways To Increase Hemoglobin Levels During Pregnancy

Primary polycythemia, on the other hand, is caused by genetic mutations or defects in red blood cell precursors within the bone marrow, leading to overgrowth and hyperproliferation of red blood cells regardless of erythropoietin levels.

Increased hematocrit and red blood cell mass with polycythemia increases blood viscosity, impairs blood flow, and increases the risk of clotting (thrombosis).

The first step in evaluating any person for new polycythemia is a thorough history and physical examination.

They should be asked about smoking history, altitude, medication use, personal bleeding and coagulation history, symptoms of sleep apnea (snoring, apnea), and family history of hematologic disease or polycythemia. A thorough cardiopulmonary examination including auscultation of the heart and lungs can help evaluate for cardiac shunting or chronic lung disease. An abdominal exam can assess splomegaly, which can be seen in polycythemia vera. Examination of the stigmata for erythromelalgia, wheezing, or cyanosis may help evaluate for chronic hypoxia.

Low Hemoglobin Count

Polycythemia is often identified during a complete blood count (CBC). The CBC is often repeated to evaluate for persistent polycythemia.

Primary polycythemia are myeloproliferative diseases that affect red blood cell precursors in the bone marrow. Polycythemia vera (PCV) (a.k.a. polycythemia rubra vera (PRV)) occurs when too many red blood cells are produced due to an abnormality in the bone marrow.

Often, excess white blood cells and platelets are also produced. A hallmark of polycythemia vera is a high hematocrit, Hct > 55% in 83% of cases.

A somatic (non-inherited) mutation in JAK2 (V617F), also in other myeloproliferative disorders, is found in 95% of cases.

Complete Blood Count (cbc)

Symptoms include headache and vertigo, and physical examination findings include an abnormally enlarged spleen and/or liver. In some cases, affected individuals may have conditions that include high blood pressure or the formation of blood clots. Transformation to acute leukemia is rare. Phlebotomy is the mainstay of treatment.

Primary familial polycythemia, also known as primary familial polycythemia and conital polycythemia (PFCP), exists as a largely inherited condition, unlike the myeloproliferative changes associated with acquired PCV. In many families, PFCP is caused by an autosomal dominant mutation of the EPOR erythropoietin receptor.

PFCP can cause an increase of up to 50%

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