A blood test can tell a lot about a person’s health status. Indicators of the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets may become informative. A plasma study also indicates the state of hematocrit (NTS). It can be lowered or increased.
The word "hematocrit" is used less often, but many have heard about blood viscosity. Although these expressions are identical. That is, hematocrit is the ratio of red blood cells to plasma. Both its elevated and lowered levels indicate a pathological condition of the body.
What is hematocrit?
Blood is made up of red cells called red blood cells. The hematocrit determines the level of red blood cells in the blood. In a general analysis, these data may not be available, so additional research is being conducted.
What is a blood viscosity test called? It is called a hematocrit test. In addition, a complex coagulation test called the “blood coagulogram” may be given, which shows, and so clearly, the level of coagulation of human blood fluid and activated partial thromboplastin time. Tests indicate the percentage of red blood cells. When indicated above the norm, this indicates changes in the blood.
In each person, the average volume of red blood cells can be individual. The liquid part of the blood is called plasma, it is most in human fluid, up to 60%. The remaining 40% are red blood cells (99%) and a combination of platelets with white blood cells (1%).
Any blood is suitable for analyzing the determination of APTT, it is placed in a special tube, and then in a centrifuge. After it stops, there is a separation of red blood cells that begin to settle. By these indicators, you can determine how much plasma and blood cells are in the blood. The hematocrit level is calculated using a specific formula.
How and why is the analysis carried out?
How to check blood viscosity? The analysis is given in medical institutions in which there is a special device for centrifugation of blood. The general analysis indicates whether the hematocrit, blood flow and other data are increased. In the insert with the results, it is written as hct. With increased indicators, we can talk about the pathological process in the body, which can be temporary or permanent.
Analysis indications and norm
An HCT blood test determines the level of hemoglobin. It is mandatory for pregnant women. The analysis is able to identify a disease that leads to abnormal hematocrit.
A study may be prescribed in other circumstances:
- To identify the degree of anemia with a low level and polycythemia, if the level is elevated.
- After the treatment, to determine the effectiveness, in this case, the total number of red blood cells should also change.
- If necessary, a blood transfusion or the choice of another method of therapy.
- To determine the degree of dehydration.
The norm can be different, it depends on the age, gender and individual characteristics of a single organism.
If we take men, then such data will be indicators of the norm - 44-50%. Blood viscosity in women is considered normal at such rates - 36-42%. The hematocrit of infants averages 54-68%.
If there are any signs, it is recommended to take a hematocrit test?
Now we know what the name of a blood test for viscosity is called. But with what signs he is appointed, it is worth finding out.
The study can be assigned based on the state of human health:
- with constant weakness and fatigue;
- if a person often loses consciousness;
- with pallor of the skin;
- there is a lack of oxygen, which is accompanied by shortness of breath;
- decreased vision;
- regular dizziness and headaches;
- enlarged spleen;
- sensation of a rush of blood to the face;
- dry mouth and constant thirst;
- when urinating, little urine is released.
Causes of Low Hematocrit
If the hematocrit is lowered, what does this mean, what causes it and is it dangerous? These issues are often of concern to many patients.
If iron will be ingested in insufficient quantities, then we can talk about a decrease in hematocrit. In addition, a decrease in hemoglobin synthesis affects the blood viscosity. In particular, representatives of the fair sex are subject to this condition, who sit on strict diets for a long time or practice therapeutic fasting.
In childhood, the hematocrit can be reduced as a result of such reasons:
- Poor nutrition, in which a child receives few foods containing iron. These are products such as meat, apples, pomegranate juice, buckwheat porridge.
- The period of accelerated growth.
- Digestive apparatus diseases in which poor absorption of iron occurs.
Reduced hematocrit is not a separate disease. But it can have a negative effect on the state of immunity, poor blood coagulation and other dangerous consequences. Therefore, at any age, you must monitor the correctness of your diet.
Also, the coefficient of viscosity of the blood decreases due to large blood loss. They happen against the background of such conditions:
- prolonged menstruation;
- internal bleeding;
- getting injuries and fractures with damage to internal organs or tissues;
- uterine bleeding, etc.
Hematocrit may decrease due to blood thinning. This can be affected by diseased kidneys, which are difficult to process the incoming fluid, a person’s fascination with salty and spicy foods, and prolonged lying down.
What diseases decreases hematocrit?
If the hematocrit is low, what does this mean and what diseases contribute to this? Ht may decrease due to various pathologies. In adulthood, these diseases include:
- Impaired protein structure in hemoglobin.
- The presence of genetic and autoimmune diseases.
- The presence of various infections, against which fluid accumulates in the tissues of the internal organs and subcutaneous fat.
- Myeloma - the presence of cancer cells in the plasma.
- The tumor process in the hematopoietic system and lymph, which is called hemoblastosis.
In children, hematocrit most often reduces diseases associated with the appearance of bleeding, a decrease in the production of red blood cells in the spinal cord, and a high protein content in the blood.
Reduced hematocrit in pregnant women
During pregnancy, the woman’s body is forced to rebuild and spend more trace elements, which affects the immune system. There are changes in the circulatory system. A new circle is formed that connects the body of the mother and the fetus. This causes the need for additional blood volume. With its increase, the concentration of suspended particles remains the same, but the plasma level increases. Thus, the analysis will show reduced hematocrit, blood viscosity and hemoglobin level. All this is an indicator of the norm, if the level is not lower than 35%.
In the second trimester, almost every woman has a decrease in hematocrit, which is also considered normal. But if there is a critical difference, while severe swelling is observed, then it is better to inform the doctor about this, since this condition can be dangerous. In particular, it is necessary to regularly donate blood for analysis to patients who, even before pregnancy, suffered from hemolytic conditions, and in the presence of a hereditary predisposition.
False results
Now it’s clear what the viscosity test is called and what it determines. But there is a nuance - there are times when false results come out.
In some situations, methods for determining blood viscosity are not always appropriate, as the result will be temporarily underestimated. This happens after significant blood loss or after menstruation. Also, the result will be distorted if the blood is taken from the place where the drugs were previously administered, as a result of which it was diluted under the influence of the solution. The result will also be distorted if the veins were pulled by a tourniquet for a certain time or blood was taken from a vein from a lying person. All of these situations require re-donation of blood.
Low rates in a child: why arise?
Up to 10 years of age in children, the Ht indicator usually fluctuates constantly. Therefore, you need to know the approximate norm of the indicator in order to identify the deviation. The norm at each age will be as follows:
- immediately after birth, the norm in infants is 50-68%;
- in children up to a week of age - 44-65%;
- up to a month of life - 30-42%;
- up to 12 months - 29-41%;
- in the following years, up to 10 years, indicators may vary slightly, but on average 36-44% is considered the norm.
What affects the blood viscosity in children?
As a reason for a decrease in hematocrit, hereditary pathological conditions of the hematopoietic system, or acquired pathologies that affect the rate of red blood cells in the blood can serve. Often the main factor in this condition is anemia.
If the baby is breast-feeding, it is possible to increase the level of hemoglobin by increasing the iron-containing products in the mother's diet. If this is not enough, then drugs with a similar effect are prescribed.
Deviations are also observed in children whose physical development is too active, as a result, the body does not receive enough iron. Everything will return to normal when active growth stops. But if lowered hematocrit is not associated with iron deficiency anemia, then an additional examination will be needed to identify the root cause of liquid blood.
Who is at risk?
There are certain categories of people who more often than others have indicators of reduced hematocrit:
- Women in a position whose term exceeded 4 months.
- Just born women.
- People with chronic diseases of the kidneys, liver and cardiovascular system.
- Children who eat small amounts of foods high in iron.
- Children who are actively growing, but at the same time not getting enough nutrition.
- Smokers.
- Bedridden patients.
Hematocrit lowered: how to fight?
Iron deficiency anemia is not difficult to eliminate. The main thing is to correctly adjust the diet, enriching it with the following products:
- eggs
- bean dishes;
- red meat;
- chicken's meat;
- seafood;
- nuts
- vegetables and fruits are mainly red.
So that iron is well absorbed, simultaneously start taking vitamin C. A large amount of it is found in citrus fruits, strawberries and tomatoes.
An important role is played by vitamin B12. It is contained in such products:
- meat;
- milk products;
- fish;
- bell pepper;
- peanut;
- eggs
- buckwheat.
The lack of folic acid is compensated by the liver, legumes, herbs, etc.
Thus, now you know the name of the blood test for viscosity, and you can distinguish between normal and deviations from it when receiving the results of a hematocrit test. It should be borne in mind that in children, red blood cell counts can often change, which is considered the norm. In newborn babies, the hematocrit will be slightly higher than in adults. In the male body, the percentage of viscosity is higher than the female. If a decrease in hematocrit is determined in the analyzes for a long time, you should consult your doctor about this. And if the hematocrit is less than 13%, then such a person needs to be hospitalized urgently.