Common “High Hematocrit” queries answered by top doctors

Common “High Hematocrit” queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

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High Hematocrit

Hematocrit is also called as packed cell volume test. It evaluates the proportion of red blood cells in the blood. The normal range for men is 38.3 to 47.6 percent. The normal range for women is 35.5 percent to 44.0 percent. High hematocrit is seen in patients with lung disease, heart disease, polycythemia vera, and dehydration.

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All the answers published in this website are written by verified medical doctors, therapists and health experts. The Content has been moderated by iCliniq medical review team before publication. Post your medical clarifications on iCliniq by choosing the right specialty and get them answered. Your medical queries will be answered 24/7 by top doctors from iCliniq.

Why are my hematocrit, RBC, Hb, and mean cell volume elevated?

Query:
Hello doctor,
I have been feeling unwell for a long time. These are my recent blood test results. My doctor said that the values of my hematocrit, RBC count, hemoglobin, and mean cell volume have been out of the normal range for at least 10 years as far as he could guess. I think it should be invest…  Read Full »

Dr. Singh Smrita

Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
We value the high level of confidence that you have in us.
Your hemoglobin and hematocrit values are slightly high. Your RBC count is only marginally elevated since the upper limit of the normal range is 5.5 million/cu.mm. From these values, I have a suspicion that …  Read Full »

I have a high Hb value; can I donate blood?

Query:
Hello doctor,
I am 34 years old. I went to donate blood today. But, the hospital rejected me as my Hb value is 16.9. Is this level abnormally high? Do I need to get any tests done?  Read Full »

Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq. com.
Yes, your hemoglobin value is high and needs to be investigated.
Let me know if your hematocrit values were checked. If it is high as well, the condition is polycythemia. The cause for polycythemia may be secondary to chronic hypoxia due to a chronic heart failure o…  Read Full »

Why do I have high hemoglobin and hematocrit values?

Query:
Hi doctor,I am a 31-year-old female. I have a history of celiac disease and a past medical history of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a stage 2 cervical lymph node and tumors in my chest. I had a blood test last week which showed B12 and Folic Acid deficiency, raised hemoglobin of 161 and raised hematocrit of 0…  Read Full »

Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
You are having celiac disease in which because of malabsorption vitamin B12 deficiency and folate deficiency can occur. This deficiency also can be developed if polycythemia present in which proliferation more. 3 per microliter of blood in the last five months. The only symptom I have is occasional skin itching.  Read Full »

Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
As your platelet count decreased over four months duration, chronic infection, and drug history have to be ruled out first.
If they are not causative then a detailed investigation plan should be decided according to the examinations as follows:
ESR (erythrocyte…  Read Full »

Does A Hematocrit Of 49.2 Indicate Polycythemia?

Query:
Hello doctor,My Hb is 15.8 but HCT is 49.2 and total RBC count is 5.63. What is the reason? I fear about polycythemia. Is it possible to reduce HCT?  Read Full »

Dr. Abdul Aziz Khan

Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
If you are a smoker, then stop smoking.
At this stage, secondary polycythemia is more common than primary and smoking is the most common reason for secondary.
  Read Full »

Are my blood test results worrisome?

Query:
Hello doctor,
I am a 57-year-old male. I just had a blood test. Results: Hematocrit 60.0 (h), blood urea nitrogen 24 (h), MCV 96.6 (H), MCHC 31.9 (L), creatinine 1.36 (H), basophils 2.1 (H), All other labs were normal. I have a history of genetic hemochromatosis.  Read Full »

Dr. Singh Smrita

Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
BUN levels represent the balance between urea production (liver), urea breakdown, and urea elimination (kidneys). Therefore, BUN (blood urea nitrogen) indicates kidney and liver health.
A high hematocrit could be due to many reasons and is not an indication of…  Read Full »

What can be the reason for elevated RBC, Hb and Hct?

Query:
Hi doctor,
I am a 34-year-old female. I have been itching all over for months and constantly covered with bruises, petechiae, and livedo reticularis. I was diagnosed with erythromelalgia. I also have severe bone pain. My blood work came back with elevated RBC, Hb, Hct, low alkaline phosphate, low BU…  Read Full »

Dr. Prakash H. M

Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:
The elevated hemoglobin, red blood cell count, and hematocrit signify polycythemia. Elevated vitamin B12 level is one of the markers of myeloproliferative disorder. I would strongly think of polycythemia vera.
Other valu…  Read Full »

What is the reason for the increase in Hb and Hct values in me?

Query:
Hi doctor,
I am really worried that my Hgb is 17.6 and Hct is 54.6. I have been recommended to consult a hematologist in cancer care center. I am bothered whether it is a major illness. Can you please help me out?  Read Full »

Dr. Prakash H. M

Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:
Your hemoglobin (Hb or Hgb) and hematocrit (Hct) is a bit high and hence further evaluation is being done.
If you are from a hill station or a smoker or with lung disorder then this may be normal. This is called as polycy…  Read Full »

What does it mean when hemoglobin and hematocrit are high?

Query:
Hello doctor,Last week I went to the doctor for several reasons like headache, weakness, tightness and pressure in the head, and body pain. He ordered some blood work and a chest X-ray. The doctor told me that the chest X-ray report is good and he just told me I have low vitamin B12 level and I have…  Read Full »

Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer:
Hello,Welcome to icliniq.com.I have gone through your history and reports. (attachment removed to protect patient identity).You had a complaint of left-side abdominal pain with a headache. Hence gastritis can be a possibility and for that antibiotics and antacid courses are prescribed.Sometimes the …  Read Full »

How to get relief from allergic rhinitis when having high TSH and hemoglobin level?

Query:
Hi doctor,
I am suffering from allergic rhinitis. My TSH level and hemoglobin level are high. How to cure it?  Read Full »

Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
For allergic rhinitis, you can take Fexofenadine for getting relief from congestion. If you have a repeated history of allergic rhinitis, then allergic testing can be done. An alteration in TSH can be seen due to inflammation. You have to redo your TSH (thyroid stimulat…  Read Full »

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What It Means When Your Hematocrit Is High

Dyfrain/Shutterstock

By Joanna Marie/Oct. 26, 2022 12:47 pm EST

Blood is essential to life. However, there’s more to your blood than the brick-red fluid you see when bleeding. According to the American Red Cross, blood is comprised of different components, including red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Each of these bears unique functions. For example, red blood cells help carry fresh oxygen throughout the body and make up about 45% of your blood, according to MedlinePlus. What’s more, the body makes about two million red blood cells per second, per the source.

Despite the importance of red blood cells, having too much in your body can be a concern, and that’s when a hematocrit test comes in. Hematocrit measures the percentage of red blood cells in your blood to determine how high or low it is (via Healthline). A hematocrit test (HCT) is usually part of a complete blood count (CBC), and what’s constituted as normal will depend on factors like sex and age.

According to Stanford Medicine, the ideal hematocrit values range between 36% and 48% for women and 42% and 52% for men. For children, the values are between 30% and 44%. Based on this premise, what does it mean if your hematocrit level is high?

What causes high hematocrit levels?

Choksawatdikorn/Shutterstock

There are various implications if your hematocrit levels are above normal. A high hematocrit level indicates that your body is making too many red blood cells or your blood flow is too low. This can be a sign of lung disease or heart failure, per MedlinePlus. However, hematocrit levels outside the normal range don’t always indicate a medical condition. A 2008 study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology reveals that healthy people living at high altitudes have higher-than-average hematocrit levels than those living at sea level.

Another condition associated with higher-than-normal red blood cells is polycythemia vera. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, scientists are still determining why polycythemia enhances your red blood cell production. In some cases, the condition can stem from a genetic mutation.

Other triggers of high hematocrit levels include smoking and dehydration. According to the Cleveland Clinic, dehydration reduces the water content in your body and the plasma in your blood. Reduced plasma can increase the ratio of red blood cells to blood volume, causing hematocrit levels to rise beyond normal. Regarding smoking, it can affect hematocrit levels by causing an increase in erythropoietin — a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production. Increased red blood cells mean higher hematocrit levels.

Treatment options for high hematocrit levels

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Treatment for both high and low hematocrit levels depends on the causes, and your doctor will determine the right treatment option. If poor hydration habits are to blame for your high hematocrit levels, your doctor might recommend rehydrating. However, in cases where high hematocrit levels are caused by polycythemia, the treatment focuses more on managing the symptoms, as the condition can’t be cured, according to MedicalNewsToday.

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) reiterates this claim, stating that the main goal when treating polycythemia is to prevent thrombotic events, like arterial and venous thrombosis and myocardial infarction. These account for the majority of morbidity and mortality cases. Currently, phlebotomy is the most common treatment option, which rids your blood of extra red blood cells, eventually lowering your hematocrit level, per the AAFP. According to the source, around 69% of people with polycythemia use phlebotomy as their first-line therapy. Generally speaking, phlebotomy aims to lower red blood cell counts — some people get this treatment once a week or month until their hematocrit levels drop below 45%, as explained by WebMD.

After phlebotomy, some doctors also prescribe medications like hydroxyurea or Intron A, which slow the production of new red blood cells in the born marrow, keeping hemoglobin levels steady (via WebMD). Radiation therapy is another alternative to slow red blood cell production, but doctors seldom recommend this due to side effects like blood cancer.

Recommended

Clinical analysis of blood in animals. Decryption. Vet clinic Lucky

Deciphering a clinical blood test in animals can be carried out on the basis of the following information:

Hematocrit (Htc) – the volume fraction of erythrocytes in the blood

Norm (%) – cat 30-51; dog 37-55.

An increase in this indicator may indicate erythrocytosis (an increase in the number of red blood cells), dehydration (these are various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as diabetes) or a decrease in the volume of circulating plasma (typical for peritonitis and burn disease).

A decrease in hematocrit indicates severe anemia, an increase in the volume of circulating plasma (observed with heart or kidney failure, hyperproteinemia). Low hematocrit is also characteristic of chronic inflammatory processes, injuries, starvation, chronic hyperazotemia, and oncological diseases.

Erythrocytes (RBC) are blood cells containing hemoglobin.

Norm (x 10 ¹² / l) – cat 5.2-10.8; dog 5.4-8.0.

An increase in red blood cells may be caused by primary erythrocytosis (increased production of red blood cells). Also, this condition can be caused by reactive erythrocytosis (due to ventilation failure in bronchopulmonary pathology and heart disease). Secondary erythrocytosis caused by an increase in the production of erythropoietins (with hydronephrosis and polycystic kidney disease, as well as in the presence of neoplasms of the kidneys and liver) is not excluded.

A decrease in red blood cells may indicate various anemias (iron deficiency, hemolytic, hypoplastic, B12 deficiency). This condition is typical for acute blood loss, late pregnancy, chronic inflammatory processes, and hyperhydration.

Mean erythrocyte volume (MCV) – characterizes the type of anemia dog 62-74.

An increase in MCV is observed in macrocytic and megaloblastic anemias, as well as in anemias that may be accompanied by macrocytosis (hemolytic).

Under normal conditions, normocytic anemia (aplastic, hemolytic, blood loss, hemoglobinopathies), as well as anemia accompanied by normocytosis (regenerative phase of iron deficiency anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes) can be observed.

A decrease in MCV is characteristic of microcytic anemia (iron deficiency, sideroblastic, thalassemia) and anemia that may be accompanied by microcytosis (hemolytic, hemoglobinopathy).

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a non-specific indicator of dysproteinemia accompanying the disease process.

Norm (mm/hour) – cat 1-6; dog 2-6.

An increase in ESR is characteristic of any inflammatory processes accompanied by the accumulation of fibrinogen, a- and b-globulins in the blood. ESR also increases in diseases accompanied by tissue breakdown (heart attacks, malignant neoplasms, etc.), intoxications and poisonings, metabolic diseases (in diabetes mellitus), kidney diseases accompanied by nephrotic syndrome (hyperalbuminemia), liver diseases leading to severe dysproteinemia, during pregnancy, shocks, injuries and surgical interventions.

The strongest increases in ESR (more than 50-80 mm/hour) are characteristic of multiple myeloma, malignant neoplasms, connective tissue diseases and systemic vasculitis.

Reduced ESR is characterized by hemolytic anemia.

Platelets

Norm (x 10 ⁹ / l) – cat 200-600; dog 160-500.

Elevated platelets indicate infection, inflammation, neoplasia.

The decrease is typical for uremia, toxemia, hypoadrenocorticism, immune disorders, bleeding.

Hemoglobin (HGB) is a blood pigment found in red blood cells. The main function is the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Norm (g/l) – cat 90-170; dog 120-170.

An increase in hemoglobin indicates primary or secondary erythrocytosis, as well as relative erythrocytosis during dehydration.

The decrease is characteristic of anemia (iron deficiency, hemolytic, hypoplastic, B12-folic deficiency), acute blood loss, occult bleeding, endogenous intoxication (malignant tumors and their metastases), damage to the bone marrow, kidneys and some other organs.

Mean hemoglobin concentration in erythrocyte (MCHC) – determines the saturation of red blood cells with hemoglobin.

Norm (g / dl) – cat 31-35; dog 32-36.

The increase is characteristic of hyperchromic anemia (spherocytosis and ovalocytosis).

A decrease in the index accompanies hypochromic anemia (iron deficiency, spheroblastic and thalassemia).

Mean erythrocyte hemoglobin (MCH) – used to characterize anemia.

Norm (pg) — cat 13-18; dog 22-28.

The increase is characteristic of hyperchromic anemia (megaloblastic, liver cirrhosis).

A decrease may indicate hypochromic anemia (iron deficiency) and anemia in malignant tumors.

Only a specialist, a veterinarian, can take into account all the nuances of clinical blood test data. An integrated approach in the diagnosis of the disease is important. Of course, it is necessary to examine the animal, interview the owner about the course of the disease; hardware diagnostics: ultrasound, X-ray, ECG; other tests, for example, if necessary: ​​analysis of urine, feces, biochemical blood test. Only then is the risk of error reduced, and the doctor has every opportunity to make the correct diagnosis, and, therefore, to prescribe the appropriate, effective treatment.

what does it mean in women, in a child, in men, how to lower the level and what to do with a high indicator

Some patients, having received the results of a complete blood test, find that they have an elevated hematocrit. An increase in the indicator may be the result of a number of pathologies and requires mandatory identification of the causes.

In what cases the hematocrit number in the blood increases, how the changes appear and how to normalize the value, we will consider further.

Contents

1. What is hematocrit?
2. What does high level mean?
3. Reasons for the increase
4. High hematocrit in the blood of an adult
5. Peculiarities of manifestation in women
6. Increased rate in men
7. Above the norm in a child
8. What to do with an increase?
9. How to lower the HTC value?
10. Useful video
11. Conclusion

The term comes from the Greek word “hemo” – blood. Before talking about deviations, it is worth understanding the question of what a hematocrit is and what its increase indicates. The concept refers to the number of blood cells in the total volume of blood. In the course of an analysis aimed at detecting elevated hematocrit, the level of formed elements (erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets) is calculated. Then the resulting number is correlated with the total mass of the liquid. In medical sources, the term is often denoted by the abbreviation HTC, and in the common people it is called “thickness of blood.”

What does high level mean?

The indicator can be indicated in the blood test as a percentage or liter per liter. It depends on the sex and age of the patient. It is considered that the hematocrit is increased if the number rises above the norms indicated in the table. 9

Children 32-44 Women 36-46 Men 40-48

Reasons for the increase

Various factors can lead to an increase in the indicator. If the hematocrit in the blood is elevated, then diseases that adversely 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 a child

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

High hematocrit in the blood of an adult

If the value in the blood exceeded the norm, then do not panic. Far from always, an increase in the indicator is a harbinger of severe pathology. Among what the excess in an adult indicates, bad habits, stress, overwork, etc. are distinguished. However, women may experience the following symptoms:

• frequent headache;
• peripheral edema and numbness of extremities;
• deterioration of skin, hair, nails;
• recurrent infectious diseases, etc.

If the hematocrit in the blood of women is increased, then the body faces oxygen starvation. The blood supply to tissues and organs is deteriorating, which negatively affects their work. The appearance also worsens – due to a lack of nutrients in an adult, dryness and flaking of the skin, brittle hair and nails are found, which is especially worrisome for women. Indicators of glucose, leukocytes and hemoglobin in the blood of women.

Increased rate in men

Manifestations of elevated hematocrit in the blood 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 work of the heart, significantly increasing the risk of developing organ pathologies, as well as exacerbating the likelihood of cardiac death.

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

Above normal in a child

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

What to do with promotion?

There is no single recipe for reducing the number. What to do if the hematocrit is elevated depends on the underlying causes. The key task for its stabilization is the establishment of pathology and the appointment of competent treatment.

One blood test is not enough for a complete diagnosis. After taking an anamnesis, examining and obtaining research data, recommendations on what to do are given by a specialist. It is forbidden to make decisions on your own, and even more so, to conduct therapy.

How to lower the HTC value?

If the indicator is above the norm, then an integrated approach should be followed to reduce it. If the hematocrit is elevated, then it is usually recommended:

• treatment of the underlying disease that caused the increase in NST;
• adjustment of the patient’s lifestyle;
• taking drugs aimed at thinning the blood and preventing the formation of blood clots, etc.