When we do a blood test, we are undoubtedly attracted to the numbers and words written on a piece of paper issued by a physician. What do they mean? For example, hematocrit - what is it?
The word "hematocrit" has a double meaning. On the one hand, this is a device that measures the hematocrit index, on the other hand, this is the indicator itself, which will tell a lot for doctors about the patient's condition.
Hematocrit is the ratio of blood elements (to a greater extent red blood cells) to its plasma. Since both one and the second indicator are measured in liters in this case, the hematocrit value will be liter per liter.
The method for determining the hematocrit index is the separation of red blood cells from blood plasma. This is done by centrifugation. In this case, the centrifuge with blood cones spins up at a tremendous speed, which leads to the subsidence in different places of various blood elements, depending on what they have weight and density. The hematocrit index is determined in a test tube (pipette), which is divided into one hundred divisions.
Before taking blood for analysis, the tube is washed with a special solution. Then blood sampling is carried out, it should be at around one hundred. With a rubber stopper, the capsule closes and is placed in a centrifuge for ninety minutes at a centrifuge speed of 1,500. During this time, red blood cells are sorted out under pressure of their mass and make up a certain part in the test tube. After the device has completed its work, the laboratory assistant takes out a cone and determines at what level the red blood cells stopped. The resulting number will be an indicator of hematocrit.
The analysis for the determination of hematocrit is quite difficult due to the fact that there is a risk of getting a false number. In the course of studies, it was found that the hematocrit depends on how the blood is taken. For example, if blood is taken while the patient is lying down, then the hematocrit can be lowered. If the hematocrit is elevated, then this may indicate that the taking of blood was accompanied by prolonged crushing of the vein with a tourniquet.
Hematocrit is measured in almost all patients. However, it is worth considering that this indicator only quantifies red blood cells, in no way reflecting their quality. But even such figures may well tell doctors about some important deviations in the patient’s health. Usually, with a good state of health, the hematocrit indicator does not depend on the external environment, so it can remain at the same level for many years. In fairness, we note that the hematocrit can only increase with a change in height (for example, climbers, deep-sea divers)
This indicator is different for different sexes. For example, in men compared with women, the hematocrit is increased - from forty to fifty-two percent (a liter per liter is multiplied by a hundred and a percentage is obtained). In women, it ranges from thirty to forty-two percent. The hematocrit is not the same in children. Usually in newborns it is ten percent higher, and at a younger age - lower. Such indicators are quite physiological and not cause concern. But what if the hematocrit is elevated? What is this talking about?
An increase in hematocrit may be due to several factors. First of all, this is an increase in the number of red blood cells in the blood. Secondly, the hematocrit can be increased with too intense production of red blood cells by the body. Thirdly, some diseases, such as hypoxia, heart defects, bowel obstruction, dehydration, kidney disease, can cause the hematocrit to be elevated.
In turn, the indicator can shift to the lower side - this occurs with significant blood loss, with excessively drunk water, with a violation of the bone marrow, with anemia and pregnancy in the later stages.