Hematocrit test is an examination performed to measure the number of red blood cells in the bloodh. If the test results show a low hematocrit level or below the normal range, then this indicates that the number of red blood cells in the body is reduced.
A hematocrit is often performed as part of a complete blood count. You may be advised by a doctor to undergo this examination as part of a routine health check (check up ).
However, in certain cases, the doctor may perform this examination to determine if you have certain diseases, such as anemia.
Mark Hematocrit Normal
Hematocrit value is measured in percentage units (%). Everyone has a different hematocrit level, depending on gender and age. The following are normal hematocrit values by age and gender:
- Adult males: 40–54%.
- Adult women: 38–46%.
- Children: 30 – 40 %
Normal hematocrit values can also differ from one laboratory to another. However, the ratio of these figures will usually not exceed 7%. If the hematocrit level in your body is less than the range of numbers above, it means your hematocrit level is low.
A low hematocrit value needs to be watched out for if it is accompanied by certain complaints or symptoms, such as weakness, paleness, fatigue, and frequent dizziness.
Reason and Handling Low Hematocrit
A low hematocrit is often a sign of anemia. This condition can be caused by several things, including:
1. Blood loss
Excessive blood loss from accidents, surgical procedures, bleeding, or heavy menstruation can lower the hematocrit level. If the low hematocrit is caused by any of the above causes, the doctor needs to find the source of the bleeding and stop it.
Blood loss that is severe enough to cause shock also usually needs to be treated with blood transfusions.
2. Lack of nutrition
Anemia or low hematocrit can be caused by iron deficiency (iron deficiency anemia) or folate and vitamin B12 deficiency (folate and vitamin B12 deficiency anemia).
To overcome this condition, doctors will usually recommend you to take supplements and foods that contain iron, folate, and vitamin B12.
3. Disorders or damage to the bone marrow
Damage to the bone marrow from toxins, radiation, chemotherapy, infection, or the side effects of certain medications can lower the hematocrit level.
Likewise, diseases of the bone marrow, such as aplastic anemia, myelodysplasia syndrome, or cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma, or cancer from other organs that spread to the bone marrow (metastasize).
4. Kidney disease
Severe or long-standing kidney disease can cause anemia and a drop in the hematocrit. This is caused by a reduced amount of the red blood cell-forming hormone (erythropoietin) produced in the kidneys.
Anemia or low hematocrit caused by chronic kidney disease can usually be treated by giving the drugs epoetin alfa or darbepoetin alfa by injection.
5. Decreased hemoglobin levels
Hemoglobin or Hb is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. When the amount of hemoglobin is not enough, the red blood cells cannot function properly and are destroyed. This can lower the hematocrit level.
A reduced amount of hemoglobin is often caused by anemia. But apart from anemia, a low Hb count can also be caused by several other diseases, including:
Thalassemia
Thalassemia is a genetic disease that makes the sufferer unable to produce hemoglobin in sufficient quantities.
Thalassemia that is mild usually does not require special treatment. However, severe thalassemia should be treated through blood transfusions every few weeks.
In addition, treatment can also be done with therapy to remove excess iron in the blood to bone marrow transplantation.
Hemolytic anemia
Hemolytic anemia occurs when the number of red blood cells in the body that is destroyed exceeds the number of red blood cells produced by the body.
Treatment for this condition varies and is tailored to the cause, ranging from blood transfusions, corticosteroid drugs, treatments to strengthen or weaken the immune system, to surgical removal of the spleen.
Sickle cell anemia
Red blood cells are normally round and flat and move easily in the blood vessels. However, in sickle cell anemia sufferers, the red blood cells in the body are shaped like a crescent moon and are stiff and easy to clot.
The abnormal shape of the red blood cells makes the red blood cells break down easily and get stuck in small blood vessels. As a result, the flow of blood and oxygen to the body becomes blocked.
Until now there has not been found a drug to treat sickle cell anemia. Treatment is only done to relieve pain and prevent complications. The treatment of sickle cell anemia, among others, with penicillin antibiotics, pain relievers, hydroxyurea drugs, and bone marrow transplantation.
In addition to the various conditions above, low hematocrit levels can also be caused by several other factors, such as blood transfusions, autoimmune diseases, or living in highlands.
To determine the diagnosis of a disease that causes a low hematocrit, the doctor will perform a physical examination along with other examinations, such as blood tests, bone marrow aspiration, and radiological examinations, such as X-rays and CT scans.
If the hematocrit level drops slightly without any symptoms, then this condition may not be a cause for concern. However, if you have symptoms or a history of certain diseases and the results of blood tests show that your hematocrit is low, then this condition should be consulted by a doctor immediately.