
When a person has high hematocrit levels they tend to present with these symptoms: Symptoms and causes of high hematocrit levels Learn more about autoimmune diseases here. Autoimmune diseaseĬonditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus may reduce red blood cell count. Learn more about sickle cell anemia here. These cells die earlier than normal, and they also clump together, which impairs blood flow. This condition changes the shape of red blood cells.

When a person has this condition, their body does not produce enough hemoglobin. Kidney disease can lower the production of red blood cells, reducing hematocrit levels. Learn more about bone marrow cancers here.

These are cancers that spread to bone marrow, such as leukemia and lymphoma. This includes aplastic anemia, which damages stem cells in bone marrow. Many women also experience excessive blood loss from heavy menstrual bleeding. This commonly occurs due to digestive tract ulcers, which are sores caused by the bacteria H.pylori or chronic use of anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and aspirin. Learn more about how nutrient deficiency anemia is diagnosed and treated. Severe anemia could signal a more serious underlying health condition that requires more extensive treatment.ĭoctors associate anemia with several health conditions that include: Nutrient deficiencyĪ person may lack B12, folate, or iron in their diet. Mild anemia is treatable, and it is particularly common in women. Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body. These symptoms also indicate anemia, a condition where hemoglobin levels are lower than normal. When a person has low hematocrit levels they tend to present with the following symptoms: Symptoms and causes of low hematocrit levels Learn more about sickle cell anemia in African Americans here.ĭehydration can raise hematocrit levels, so this test is useful if a doctor suspects severe dehydration is the cause of a person’s symptoms.Ī doctor may request frequent hematocrit tests to monitor the effect of chemotherapy on person’s bone marrow. It is important to note that certain blood-related conditions, such as sickle-cell anemia, affect particular demographic groups at higher rates.
What does a low hematocrit and hemoglobin mean professional#
This can make it difficult for a medical professional to diagnose these conditions. There are many conditions that can affect red blood cell production or their life cycle. This means that these findings aren’t necessarily representative of a wider population. However, the study had a small sample size of 26 middle-aged, sedentary Turkish women. A 2018 study found that females who participated in 16 weeks of strength exercise had lower levels at the end compared when they started. According to research, red blood cell counts tend to increase at high altitude.Įxercise, particularly strength training, may also affect hematocrit levels. However, the percentage of red blood cells in someone’s blood can change depending on a variety of lifestyle factors and even environmental changes. Having an adequate amount of red blood cells is essential to keep the body’s processes running smoothly. This allows red blood cells to pick up oxygen from the lungs and deliver it throughout the body. In addition to oxygen, they also contain hemoglobin, a protein that binds to oxygen molecules. Red blood cells transport oxygen around the body and give blood its characteristic red color. For example: if a person has 50 milliliters (ml) of red blood cells in 100 ml of blood, their hematocrit level is 50%. Hematocrit is a measure of the percentage of red blood cells in the body. Share on Pinterest WLADIMIR BULGAR/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images
