An important indicator in determining the proportional composition of the blood is hematocrit. It shows the ratio in percent of red blood cells and plasma. Small deviations of this indicator are considered normal for the body. If we are talking about significant changes, they most likely indicate the presence of pathology in the body. Hematocrit is used to detect and subsequently control diseases associated with the level of red blood cells.
The volume of red blood cells is determined upon delivery of a general standard analysis. The hematocrit number, as a rule, indicates the percentage of red blood cells in relation to the total volume of blood plasma. In the received medical form, this indicator is noted as HCT. The normal value among the adult population ranges from thirty-six to fifty percent (and in children from thirty-seven to forty-four).
Norm indicators
The rate of hematocrit is usually different in women and men. In addition, the HCT indicator depends on the age and other physiological criteria of the patients.
Normal rates for females
The norm of hematocrit in women, as a rule, is from thirty-six to forty-eight percent. Moreover, ladies have lower rates compared to men. The main reason for this difference is that women are more likely to have a blood change. In addition, this indicator is able to change during menstruation and pregnancy. Thus, the normal value of HCT among women is:
- At the age of eighteen to forty-five, from 35 to 45%.
- Those who are older than forty-five years from 35 to 47%.
It is important to note that women are not recommended to take tests immediately after menstruation, as the result will be underestimated.
The rate of hematocrit in men
In the male population, the normal value of HCT is from 44 to 48%. The older the patient, the more he has a hematocrit index. For example, at the age of fifty, the norm can be from 44 to 50%. This trend is directly related to dehydration of the male body, which leads to a decrease in plasma volume.
If the hematocrit level is between 30 and 35%, you will need to see a doctor along with a change in diet. With more reduced criteria (in the range from 24 to 29%), it is necessary to additionally use medicines with iron, and, in addition, with vitamin B and folic acid. With a decrease of less than 13%, urgent hospitalization of the patient will be required.
Norm during pregnancy
During pregnancy, it is not just the hormonal background of the woman that changes, but also the weight along with the position of the internal organs. Thus, an increase in fluid in the body occurs and the hematocrit level decreases slightly. With the standard course of pregnancy, the norm is from 30 to 40%. If there is a level of more than 41%, dehydration occurs, and with criteria below 30%, doctors talk about the development of anemia or some other disease. Now we will analyze the hematocrit norm indicator directly by trimesters:
- In the first, the norm is usually from 33 to 36%.
- By the twelfth week, the rate rises by about ten percent, and then drops again.
- In the second trimester, provided there are no violations of the HCT, its value is from 34 to 37%.
- In the last trimester, the hematocrit decreases from 32 to 34%, as the baby is actively growing, taking more blood from the mother’s body. In the period from the thirtieth to thirty-fourth week, an increase in the volume of circulating blood occurs.
Hematocrit in children
Normal values in babies directly depend on the age criterion. The average level, as a rule, is from 37 to 44%. After birth, the hematocrit in a baby is usually from 44 to 62%, and then its level gradually decreases. At an older age, the values increase again, for example, by the age of six, its level is in the range from 34 to 40%, while in a twelve-year-old teenager it ranges from 35 to 45%.
The next period of hematocrit changes is adolescence. In girls, it decreases during periods of menstruation, while in boys, doctors report increased results up to almost 45%. Deviation of the HCT indicator from the norm indicates the development of various pathologies.
The indicator is below normal
So, the hematocrit is below normal - what does it mean?
In the presence of low levels of HCT, body cells may experience oxygen starvation. In addition, the acid and alkaline balance is disturbed, along with the operating mode of absolutely every part of the body. In adults, reduced hematocrit manifests itself as the appearance of pallor, hair loss, a constant feeling of fatigue, shortness of breath, palpitations, migraines and decreased performance. The reasons for the decline in this indicator are divided into permanent and temporary factors. Temporary factors include the following:
- Adhering to a strict diet along with malnutrition.
- Maintaining a passive lifestyle.
- The presence of heavy bleeding, including menstruation.
- The presence of a large volume of fluid in the body.
- Poisoning by any biological poisons.
Below normal hematocrit can also be associated with the development of pathologies in the form of anemia, liver cirrhosis, hemolysis, development of bone marrow oncology, kidney failure, dysbiosis, stomach ulcers and bone fractures. The main goal of treatment is to eliminate the causes that cause a change in indicators.
Nutritional Review
For example, with the development of anemia, patients should first review their nutritional diet. It is necessary to eat foods rich in iron. Therefore, preference should be given to eggs, chicken, liver, seafood, dried fruits, beans and greens. Against the background of the development of serious pathologies, doctors recommend a course of therapy using medications that contain iron. In critical situations, doctors immediately transfuse blood to the patient in order to save life. In addition, in order to normalize the hematocrit, it is necessary to acquire some useful habits:
- Daily sports.
- Drinking one and a half liters of water per day.
- Rejection of bad habits.
- Periodic examination by a doctor and passing tests along with a reduction in the number of stressful situations.
Tests sometimes show a false level of hematocrit. This circumstance is characteristic after compression of the vein, as well as during the study in the supine position.
Low hematocrit in children
When the hematocrit in children is below normal, swelling may appear on various parts of the body, including the appearance of a latent form.
All other symptoms do not differ from signs of a decrease in this indicator in an adult patient. All children are more sensitive to changes in the volume of red blood cells in the blood, and therefore much more difficult to tolerate any diseases that are associated with its decrease. So, the most common factors in reducing hematocrit in children are:
- The presence of a hereditary circulatory system disorder.
- The presence of increased bleeding and anemia.
Doctors often observe anemia in babies, leading to the development of serious pathologies. This pathology in children is found in ten percent of cases after a scheduled test. Anemia can develop with iron deficiency, severe blood loss, disruption of bone marrow, hemolysis, and so on.
Against the background of a decrease in HCT, doctors should identify the causes of such a failure, and then determine the therapy to eliminate the pathology. In the event of anemia, parents must change their child’s diet and take a therapeutic course to increase blood volume. In addition, doctors recommend giving babies hematogen, which is a delicious treat that is considered a good preventative.
Reduced hematocrit in pregnant women
During the gestation period, the level of hematocrit in pregnant women decreases. The change in this indicator starts from the fourth week, and the minimum values should be observed at the thirty-fourth week in the range from 31 to 35%. This phenomenon is associated with an increase in the volume of liquid tissues and a decrease in iron.
A situation when the hematocrit in the blood is below normal, negatively affects the condition of pregnant women.
For example, weakness can be observed along with headaches and increased pressure. With a slight deviation, doctors recommend changing the diet, paying attention to nutrition with a high concentration of iron. With a strong decrease in hematocrit, the doctor prescribes medications that do not harm the growing baby. In this case, therapy depends on the diagnosis. For example, if infectious diseases develop, antibiotic treatment will be required.