One of the most common clinical tests is a general blood test. And this is not accidental, because blood - one of the components of the internal environment of our body - very sensitively reacts to the slightest changes in it. A blood test will give an answer to the presence of inflammatory processes in the number of leukocytes, on the ability of blood to carry oxygen in the number of red blood cells. Everyone knows this, but there is another very important indicator of the state of the blood - hematocrit. Reduced or increased, it signals a lot of possible processes in the body. This indicator is especially important in children and adolescents. The article will talk about reduced hematocrit - what it means, what measures to take and how to prevent it.
What is this indicator
Hematocrit (Ht) is the numerical value of blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets) in relation to the volume of blood plasma (i.e. its viscosity). This value is expressed as a percentage, determined by hct in the general blood test and, by and large, shows the percentage of red blood cells in plasma. After all, up to 99% of blood cells per unit volume are red blood cells, red blood cells. 1 milliliter of red blood cells contains about 5 million, and white blood cells - up to 88 thousand and platelets - up to 400 thousand.
How to measure it
There are several ways to obtain hematocrit blood counts:
- Using a special device. These are two short calibrated capillaries that fill with blood and a coagulant. Then they are subjected to centrifugation, as a result of which the formed elements of the blood settle. This is the most common method for establishing increased or decreased hematocrit, and the result is determined visually.
- Using a conductometer - the device measures the electrical conductive properties of blood. Erythrocytes are characterized by electrical stability, and the lower the conductor index, the more shaped elements in the blood.
- With the help of a nomogram - a scale marked with hematocrit and hemoglobin.
Relative standards
Increased or decreased hematocrit is determined relative to the norm. These indicators are established experimentally, however, it is worth remembering that each person is individual, and only an experienced hematologist can decipher the analyzes. In addition, it is necessary to consider these indicators in dynamics and only then can we draw certain conclusions about the state of the body.
Normal for adults are the following hematocrit indicators:
- For women under 45 years old - 36-44%, older - 36-46%.
- For men under 45 years old - 40-45%, older - 40-50%.
The human body reaches such indicators by 17 years. And for children they are a little different and we will tell about them further.
Hematocrit number of the child
The red blood cell count is especially important during the formation of the human body. Indeed, if the baby is born with low hematocrit, then this means that in the womb he experienced hypoxia (oxygen starvation). And it is precisely in the period of growth and formation of tissues and organs that the named problem can cause irreversible consequences.
To determine the reduced hematocrit in a child, you need to know the norms of this indicator. For children, they are as follows:
- In the first blood test from the umbilical cord in newborns - 34-64%.
- In children of the first year of life - 34-43%.
- In children under 5 years old - 33-40%.
- In children from 6 to 12 years old - 34-43%.
- In adolescents under 17 years: for boys the norm is 35-45%, for girls - 34-44%. These differences are insignificant and are associated with the onset of menstruation in girls.
Symptoms of pathology
Reduced hematocrit in adults and children is manifested, in addition to general malaise, in the following:
- Fatigue and fatigue.
- Feelings of lack of air, shortness of breath.
- Rapid heart rate.
- Symptomatic headaches.
- The general pallor of the skin.
- Hair loss.
Children more often than adults cannot clearly articulate symptoms of malaise, which is why they need blood tests more often. But adults are also recommended to periodically donate blood for a general analysis in order to detect a decrease in hematocrit in time.
What does this mean for a woman, if she is not pregnant, for men and children?
Deviations from the norm
The identification of the hematocrit number indicates the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen and provide intracellular respiration in all organs and tissues of the body.
Deviations from the norm are not always associated with diseases. So, among tourists and residents of highlands, the hematocrit is increased due to the replenishment of the lack of oxygen by an increase in red blood cells. The same indicators and heavy smokers.
A temporary increase in the hematocrit number may be associated with intoxication and poisoning. Increased dehydration leads to a decrease in the amount of plasma and an increase in hematocrit. Burns and prolonged exposure to dry and hot climates lead to the same consequences. Blood thickens, which leads to an increase in the risk of blood clots.
In which cases the hematocrit number is reduced
Reduced hematocrit in the blood indicates a lack of red blood cells and oxygen starvation. Such abnormalities are caused by a lack of iron in the body and iron deficiency anemia.
But a decrease in hematocrit can be observed in other cases:
- With large blood loss.
- With an increase in the amount of blood or with its dilution. Renal failure or viral infections can lead to overhydration.
- With accelerated death of red blood cells or their slow production.
- With starvation and malnutrition.
- With various diseases (pathology of the heart and kidneys).
A decrease in hematocrit during pregnancy is not a pathology, which is associated with a general increase in the amount of blood in a future mother. But after childbirth, this indicator should return to normal.
The named condition requires careful analysis, since only in the early stages can its elimination prevent serious consequences for the body.
Comprehensive assessment and false indicators
Only an experienced hematologist can qualitatively evaluate the results of a blood test. One indicator separately cannot serve as a reason for making a diagnosis.
So, reduced hematocrit in pregnant women is not a pathology. But if hemoglobin is also reduced with it, then we are talking about anemia. And this is quite dangerous for both mom and baby.
In adolescents, often a decrease in the hematocrit and the total hemoglobin are associated with a spasmodic jerk of growth and development. This condition is also not a pathology and over time the body adapts to an increase in iron in the blood.
Often, when blood is taken from a patient’s vein in a supine position or the vein is pulled together for a long time with a tourniquet, the hematocrit is underestimated. But at the same time they talk about false hematocrit, and clarification of the results is required.
How to treat
A reduced level of hematocrit, which is associated with the underlying disease, includes primarily the treatment of the underlying pathology.
If the low level is associated with a lack of iron in the body, then iron-containing drugs and a special diet are prescribed, which includes:
- red meat;
- eggs
- various nuts (sesame, almonds, walnuts and their oils);
- liver;
- fruits (most iron in apples);
- olives and olive oil.
This is especially true for children whose diet should be balanced and varied. If this indicator is low in a breast-fed baby, then mom should review her diet. And only when changes in nutrition do not produce results, the doctor will prescribe medications.
Sometimes the level of hematocrit decreases while taking certain drugs (corticosteroids and blood thinners). In this case, they should be canceled or replaced.
Summarize
In any case, it is worth contacting a specialist who will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the blood test and prescribe a treatment protocol. It is worth remembering that a long oxygen starvation of the body, as evidenced by a reduced hematocrit, is very dangerous for organs and tissues.
Take care of yourself and your loved ones, listen to your body, trust doctors and be healthy!