What is blood hematocrit and why is its level elevated in women, men or children?

Hematocrit (hematocrit value, hematocrit number) is a laboratory medical indicator that indicates the percentage of the numerical indicator of red blood cells (red blood cells) present in the red liquid and its total volume.

The test results will indicate the level of blood viscosity, the ratio of plasma to red blood cells - such data is necessary for an objective assessment of the rheological characteristics of blood.

If the hematocrit in the blood is increased, we will consider what this may indicate later in the article.

What is hematocrit?

The term comes from the word of Greek origin “hemo” - blood. Before talking about deviations, it is worth understanding the question of what the hematocrit number is and what its increase indicates. The concept refers to the number of blood cells to the total volume of blood. During the analysis, aimed at identifying an increased hematocrit, the level of formed elements (red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets) is calculated. The resulting number is then related to the total mass of the liquid. In medical sources, the term is often abbreviated HTC, and in common parlance it is called “blood thickness.”

Why is increased hematocrit dangerous for us?

An increase in hematocrit is directly related to an increase in blood viscosity. Thick blood is prone to the formation of clots, which, having collected in a certain amount, already form a thrombus. Small blood clots begin to block the flow of blood in thin capillary vessels, thereby cutting off the supply of initially small areas of tissue. A person can feel such an overlap in the form of numbness, for example, in the fingers and toes, as well as the death of small areas of tissue.

But large blood clots can cause, first of all, major heart problems, including death .

The way out of this situation is to thin the blood. This is a well-known recommendation.

What does elevated level mean?

The indicator can be indicated in a blood test as a percentage or liter per liter. It depends on the gender and age of the patient. The hematocrit is considered to be elevated if the number rises above the norms indicated in the table.

Table 1. Normal blood level in children and adults

Children's tests - what to prepare for

Newborns often exhibit hyperprolactinemia, indicating an increase in protein in the blood plasma. It is caused by feeding the child milk from a goat or cow (situation: the mother is not able to breastfeed) with a high protein content. To increase the tendency for blood to thicken, you should buy milk with less protein.

Danger - a child with a lower number of red blood cells than normal experiences oxygen starvation.

Over the age of 3 years, there is a decrease in mental abilities, fatigue, shortness of breath, pale skin color and rapid heartbeat. Among the diseases in children, there are all the diseases characteristic of this group, however, unpleasant conditions are also caused by trivial vitamin deficiency.

Helminthic infection, which is more typical for children and adolescents than for adults, can be eliminated by taking anthelmintic drugs, after a course of which the tests return to normal.

Reasons for the increase

Various factors can lead to an increase in the indicator. If the hematocrit in the blood is increased, then diseases that negatively affect the volume of circulating blood, dehydration, hematological pathologies, etc. should be excluded.

Table 2. Reasons for an increase in the indicator in an adult or child

Hypoxia, for example due to adaptation to high altitude conditions, or dehydration can also be the reasons why the hematocrit in the blood is increased. There are other pathologies that a specialist can identify.

Why is it rising?

The reasons for increased hematocrit may be the following:

We also recommend: Increased hematocrit in the blood

• dehydration (dehydration), which can occur with diarrhea, severe vomiting, increased sweating, diabetes;
• malignant blood diseases, such as leukemia;
• erythremia (primary erythrocytosis);
• secondary erythrocytosis;
• neoplasms in the kidneys, in which the formation of erythropoietin increases;
• hydronephrosis and polycystic kidney disease;
• congenital heart defects;
• hemoglobinopathy;
• pulmonary failure;
• a decrease in the volume of the liquid part of the blood as a result of pathological conditions such as burn disease, peritonitis, shock and others;
• taking diuretics;
• taking corticosteroid drugs;
• intestinal obstruction;
• oxygen starvation (when high above sea level, in smokers), during which the body begins to produce more hemoglobin in order to increase the transfer of oxygen to the cells.

This is how blood hematocrit is determined

High hematocrit in the blood of an adult

If the blood value exceeds the norm, then do not panic. An increase in the indicator is not always a harbinger of severe pathology. Among the things that excess in an adult indicates are bad habits, stress, overwork, etc.

Determination of hematocrit

Features of manifestation in women

The symptomatic picture with increased hematocrit in the blood depends on the underlying diagnosis. However, women may experience the following symptoms:

• frequent headache;
• peripheral edema and numbness of the extremities;
• deterioration in the quality of skin, hair, nails;
• recurring infectious diseases, etc.

If the hematocrit in a woman’s blood is increased, then the body faces oxygen starvation. The blood supply to tissues and organs deteriorates, which negatively affects their functioning. The appearance also deteriorates - due to a deficiency of nutrients, an adult develops dry and flaky skin, brittle hair and nails, which is especially worrying for women. Indicators of glucose, leukocytes and hemoglobin in the blood of women.

Increased rate in men

Manifestations of increased hematocrit in the blood in representatives of the stronger sex are similar to the symptomatic picture in women. In addition, a significant proportion of formed elements in the blood of men and women negatively affects the functioning of the heart, significantly increasing the risk of developing pathologies of the organ, as well as exacerbating the likelihood of cardiac death.

Since men have more prerequisites for the development of such complications (bad habits, physical labor, stress, etc.), they should pay special attention to increasing the value.

What are the norms for blood thickening?

What blood viscosity is considered normal?

The structure of blood consists of plasma (its liquid part) and various formed cellular elements. Its composition is balanced by nature and is in a ratio of 6:4 in favor of the liquid plasma part. If any pathological circumstances change the balance in favor of cellular elements, the process of blood thickening - hematocrit - develops.

Hematocrit is a percentage indicator of the ratio of cellular elements in the overall structure of blood (an indicator of its density).

The average (reference) value of hematocrit depends on the age, gender of the patient, his type of occupation and place of residence. Thanks to certain standards, one can judge the state of the body.

• from birth to one year, the hematocrit rate varies from 33% to 65%;
• by 5 years it decreases to 44%;
• from 6 to 11 years of age, a hematocrit of 33%, 41% is considered normal;
• for boys from 12 to 17 years old – 35%, 45%, for girls at this age – 34%, 41%;
• in adult men – varies between 39%-49%;
• in women – 35%, 45%

A constant hematocrit is considered the norm among professional athletes, among people living in high mountain regions, engaged in hard work, among submariners and pilots.

Above normal for a child

A high hematocrit number in a newborn is considered absolutely normal. The number of formed elements in such a child is usually 20 percent higher than the value acceptable for adults. Subsequently, the level gradually decreases. So the hematocrit number in a small child’s blood is 8-10 percent less than the adult value. However, an increased hematocrit indicates the progress of the pathological process. The reasons leading to an increase in the indicator in a child are similar to those for women and men. Normal hemoglobin level in children.

What level does the hematocrit test show in pregnant women?

As already mentioned, this indicator is lower in pregnant women. This decrease occurs due to a sharp increase in the amount of plasma (up to 33 percent), and this is considered normal for this situation and does not require additional treatment. Because at the end of pregnancy, the HCT indicator will recover and return to normal. But you need to carefully monitor its indicator in pregnant women, since it can manifest itself in the form of iron deficiency anemia, which is associated with overhydration.
Particularly low HCT levels during pregnancy can be observed in the following cases:

• Severe toxicosis,
• Pregnancy of a woman at a very young age,
• Pregnancy with multiple fetuses,
• Repeated pregnancy after a very short period of time,
• Lack of iron in food,
• If a woman was diagnosed with anemia before pregnancy.

Anemia adversely affects a woman, causing bleeding, premature birth and postpartum depression, but even more harms the fetus, since its development can occur with pathologies:

• Born underweight
• Defective (slow) physical development,
• Congenital anemia,
• Pathologies of the nervous system and brain.

It is worth noting that if the mother’s body also has a low level of vitamin B12, then the child may be born with pathologies of the central nervous system.

How to lower the NTS value?

If the indicator is higher than normal, then an integrated approach should be taken to reduce it. If the hematocrit is elevated, then it is usually recommended:

• treatment of the underlying disease that led to an increase in NST;
• adjusting the patient's lifestyle;
• taking medications aimed at thinning the blood and preventing the formation of blood clots, etc.

For some patients who are worried about how to lower their hematocrit number, it is enough to get rid of bad habits. In particular, high values ​​are observed in smokers.

Symptoms, treatment

As hematocrit increases, blood viscosity always increases.
There is a real danger of blood clots forming and blocking the lumen of blood vessels, regardless of their diameter. The smallest capillaries are the first to be blocked by blood clots, then it is the turn of the larger vessels. Blood clots can block arterial blood flow:

• in the coronary arteries, which are responsible for the blood supply to the heart, and cause myocardial infarction;
• in the pulmonary artery - thrombosis in 40-70% is fatal;
• in the arteries of the brain - ischemic stroke develops;
• With thrombosis of the blood vessels of the legs, gangrene may develop.

Arterial thrombosis is always accompanied by pain, often unbearable, and interferes with blood flow. First, the stage of ischemia or oxygen starvation occurs, and then part of the organ (or body) begins to die.

1. With a significant increase in the number of red blood cells - erythremia - up to 500 ml of blood is released every other day, replacing it with solutions (reopolyglucin) and thereby reducing the viscosity. The procedures are continued until the parameters are relatively normalized (hematocrit 46-47%, hemoglobin 140-150 g/l).
2. Erythrocytepheresis is the removal of red blood cells through extracorporeal (“outside the body”) correction of blood composition, using a special apparatus.
3. Antiplatelet agents are prescribed - substances that prevent cell grouping, and anticoagulants that reduce blood clotting activity. The most well-known antiplatelet agents are chimes and aspirin, the latter is used in small dosages (daily up to 300 mg).

Treatment of blood changes in which the hematocrit is increased, taking into account the cause of the disease, is an etiological effect. If possible, the “root of evil” is eliminated, but in some cases this is not realistic. Physiological increases in hematocrit can be etiologically corrected quite simply: just go down from the mountains to the plains, quit smoking and normalize your diet, drink enough water and avoid bowel disorders.

Conclusions:

• hematocrit is only one of the indicators, and its correct interpretation is associated with the analysis of other blood parameters;
• an increased hematocrit may be a consequence of illness or a physiological reaction of a practically healthy organism;
• an increase in Ht indicates an increase in blood viscosity and the danger of thrombosis;
• To treat diseases associated with increased Ht, a symptomatic and etiological approach is used.

What are the common causes of secondary polycythemia

Chronic hypoxia

Common conditions causing chronic hypoxia are chronic lung diseases, such as:

• emphysema and chronic bronchitis, which are collectively known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or hypoventilation syndrome;
• chronic heart disease (congestive heart failure, or abnormal flow of blood from the right side to the left side of the heart);
• apnea;
• pulmonary hypertension.

Abnormal renal blood flow may be perceived by the kidneys as decreased oxygenation (renal hypoxia), even though other tissues may have normal oxygenation. Renal hypoxia may increase erythropoietin production.

This condition can occur after a kidney transplant or a narrowing of the renal arteries (blood vessels supplying the kidneys).

Erythropoietin secreted by tumor

Some tumors may produce increased amounts of erythropoietin. The most common tumors include:

• liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma),
• kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma),
• adrenal adenoma (adenocarcinoma),
• uterine cancer.

It is noted that sometimes benign renal cysts and hydronephrosis can also produce additional erythropoietin, causing polycythemia.

There is also a rare genetic condition called Chuvash polycythemia, which causes increased activity of the gene responsible for the production of erythropoietin.

Content:

1. Measuring indicators
2. Norm of indicators
3. Reduced level
4. Briefly about exceeding the norm

← Increased hematocrit in an adult - what does this mean?

Hematocrit is a value that measures the ratio of the total volume of blood components - red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells - to the total volume of blood. Since platelets and leukocytes make up only about 1% of the total cell volume, often when calculating the indicator, only red blood cells are taken, which carry out the function of transporting oxygen throughout the cells of the body.

conclusions

To summarize, important points should be emphasized:

• hematocrit value reflects the total volume and size of red blood cells;
• To determine the value under consideration, a special transparent glass tube is used. It is filled with the biomaterial being studied and then centrifuged. Then the part of the tube that is filled with red blood cells is noted. However, modern laboratory departments are equipped with automatic analyzers. This allows you to obtain the most accurate indicators with minimal error;
• the hematocrit number is not determined in isolation from other indicators of a general blood test. It is necessary to take into account the level of red blood cells, neutrophils and leukocytes. Only in this case does the diagnostic significance of the indicator increase;
• the study is relevant as part of a routine examination of the patient and for the primary diagnosis of various diseases;
• An increase in the indicator can be caused by a number of different reasons. Therefore, it is important to conduct an extensive diagnosis and find out the exact cause.

Yulia Martynovich (Peshkova)

Certified specialist, in 2019 she graduated with honors from the Orenburg State University with a degree in microbiologist. Graduate of the graduate school of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education Orenburg State Agrarian University.

In 2019 At the Institute of Cellular and Intracellular Symbiosis of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, she completed advanced training in the additional professional program “Bacteriology”.

Laureate of the All-Russian competition for the best scientific work in the category “Biological Sciences” 2019.

A laboratory indicator such as hematocrit is often used in the diagnosis of anemia, the severity of dehydration, blood loss and its replacement. It reflects the volume and percentage of the most numerous formed elements in the blood - red blood cells relative to plasma. Determination of hematocrit is included in the mandatory list of studies for a general blood test.

Video: Lesson on Red Blood Cells and Blood Functions

Author: Content · Published 12/07/2014 · Updated 08/26/2018

Contents of this article:

So what is increasing and how to decipher the result of the analysis? Information about the current hematocrit value gives the doctor additional information about the patient's health status. Deviations from the norm in the downward direction, as well as cases where the hematocrit is increased, help in diagnosing kidney diseases, anemia and some others.

The word hematocrit has two meanings. The first is the ratio of red blood cell volume to total blood volume. Often the volume of all formed elements of blood is taken as the basis for this measurement. That is, in addition to red blood cells, leukocytes and platelets are also taken into account. The second is a device of the same name for measuring this parameter. The result is indicated as a percentage. Less often in milliliters per liter as a decimal fraction accurate to hundredths.

Since red blood cells make up almost the entire volume of blood cells, the hematocrit indicator can also indicate the thickness of the blood, its coagulability and other parameters.

Blood collected for analysis is placed in a graduated flask and centrifuged at high speed for 10 minutes. As a result, the contents of the cone are divided: the formed elements (among which almost the entire volume is occupied by red blood cells) due to centrifugal force are shifted to the bottom, displacing the remaining plasma to the top. Recently, this method has been replaced by automatic analyzers. In sheets with analysis results of these devices, hematocrit is indicated differently: most often, and is also found.

Diagnostics

The basis of the diagnostic process, against the background of which it will be discovered that the hematocrit is higher than normal, is a general clinical study of blood.

The analysis consists of several stages:

• collection of biological material;
• placing it in a sterile flask;
• going to the centrifuge;
• the procedure for separating liquid into its component parts - for this, the blood must be in a centrifuge for 1.5 hours.

Then a laboratory study and interpretation of the results by a hematologist takes place, after which all information is transferred to the attending physician who referred the patient for examination.

To determine the cause of a deviation from the norm in a larger direction, the clinician must:

• study medical history to look for chronic ailments;
• collect and analyze a life history - to establish the fact of the influence of harmless sources;
• conduct a thorough physical examination of the patient and evaluate his appearance;
• interview the patient in detail - to draw up a complete symptomatic picture, which can also indicate an underlying disease.

Additional laboratory and instrumental examinations are selected individually for each person.

Carrying out

To measure indicators, a graduated glass tube is used. Having taken blood from a vein to the hematocrit level, the tube is filled with blood. Then place the graduated tube in a centrifuge for about an hour. This is necessary for the plasma to separate from the cells. Red blood cells begin to settle down to the bottom of the tube, to a certain level, on the basis of which the results are assessed.

Today, a special hematology analyzer is being used to determine hematocrit. For the calculation, the absolute number of blood cells and the average volume of red blood cells are taken.

Hematology analyzer

It is not advisable to take a blood test for hematocrit during menstruation or other minor bleeding. After all, the slightest blood loss will certainly affect the result of the study.

Etiology

As already mentioned, an increase in hematocrit is most often a consequence of the onset of development or progression of a disease.

The most common causes of this disease:

• Severe dehydration (dehydration) occurs against the background of the fact that a person in one situation or another ingests a small amount of liquid, which affects the functioning of internal organs and systems. This problem can be caused by excessive vomiting, persistent diarrhea and prolonged exposure to sunlight.
• Chronic hypoxia is a lack of oxygen in organs and tissues. Most often, such a pathology is detected in diabetes mellitus and in those individuals who have been smoking for many years.
• Erythremia.
• Neoplasms of the kidneys.
• Polycystic adrenal gland.
• Any type of anemia.
• Peritonitis.
• Internal hemorrhages.
• Poisoning with toxic substances or drugs, in particular hormonal and glucocorticoids.
• Chronic heart diseases.
• Emphysema.
• Congestive heart failure.
• Chronic bronchitis.
• COPD
• Hypoventilation syndrome.
• Pulmonary hypertension.
• Apnea.
• Oncological neoplasms.
• Ischemic kidney disease and other ailments of this organ.
• Extensive burns.
• Internal wounds.

The above factors influence the increase in hematocrit levels in both adults and children. However, it is worth noting that a slight increase of 10-12% in infants under one year of age is quite normal.

However, there are several possible negative reasons for the increase in this indicator:

• previous transfusion of biological material;
• transfer of placental blood to the baby after birth;
• chronic intrauterine fetal hypoxia.

In addition, physiological sources of this condition are:

• the period of bearing a child, especially during pregnancy in the 2nd and 3rd trimester;
• changes in air composition;
• long-term influence of stressful situations;
• specific working conditions - the main risk group consists of people forced to work at height.