Hematocrit - a laboratory measure of the percentage of red blood cell mass contained in the blood, to its total volume. This figure is expressed as a percentage and is denoted hct. It shows how thick blood. When hematocrit is raised, it means that the body is reparable health deviations.
How and why the analysis
Hematocrit - a test that determines the level of red blood cells in human blood. It is combined with the hemoglobin level, the general analysis of the biological fluid which is used to assess human health. HCT value can not be assessed after a heavy blood loss or transfusion, because you can get too high or low results.
Hematocrit Measurement is carried out at a liquid fence connective tissue from the vein or finger. Hematocrit is defined in the overall analysis of blood research. He carried the standard for all patients of medical institutions in the presence of any disease before surgery.
definition hematocrit in the blood It is shown at:
- presence of dehydration;
- often emerging and long flowing bleeding;
- suspected anemia;
- oncology;
- diseases of the heart and gastrointestinal tract;
- deciding whether a blood transfusion procedure.
Hematocrit indicates the amount of erythrocytes is thus possible to determine how well the blood is provided with oxygen. When hematocrit (hct) is normal, it means that the body enough oxygen and minerals, so the person feels healthy. If the value of this quantity is different from the norm, it is necessary to take into account all the factors contributing to this result, and to appoint additional research if necessary.
If hct upgraded - the blood is too thick, and therefore, there is a risk of thrombosis.
Too low level (less than 25%), in this case requires immediate blood transfusion.
Analysis carried out on hematocrit in medical institutions with a special device for separating blood created at the cellular level. The need to determine the level of the NST is that it signals an increase in problems in the body, which may be short-lived, or be a sign of severe disease. To carry out the capillary blood is taken. Depending on the laboratory equipment used one of two methods of research:
- The blood is added anticoagulant to prevent clotting, and centrifuged. Forming elements are deposited on the bottom of the flask, and the plasma remains at the top. Then measure the volume of plasma and the one occupied shaped elements, the percentage calculated. If the hematocrit is 50% - this contained 100 .mu.l 50 .mu.l blood erythrocytes.
- It used a special apparatus that determines and outputs the index in units of parts.
It is important to monitor the hematocrit in patients with anemia, polycythemia, poliglobuliey (high blood protein). Patients with anemia hematocrit checked in a week, then a month after the start of treatment.
How to prepare
Before the test as part of a general analysis of blood the patient does not need to follow a special diet. It is important that the analysis gave up fasting. It is recommended to stop eating 4 hours before the test and during the day not to use sharp and fried foods. 24 hours prior to the procedure, the person needs to limit the physical and mental stress. Optimal assay time - morning.
That can affect the outcome
Elevated hematocrit can be temporary or permanent. People involved in sports, hematocrit levels can be elevated because of doping use.
What values are considered high
In order to identify that hematocrit is above normal, you need to take advantage of the tabular data, the values of which depend on the age and sex. For example, increased hematocrit in a blood test for men has other indicators than those of women and children. The rate for men - 40-48%, women - 36-46% of newborn children - not more than 60% of children and adolescents up to 14 years - 38-40%. Decrease in hematocrit level was no longer considered a deviation.
Why rate rises
Reasons for increasing hematocrit levels in adults is most often indicate disease polycythemia. Often both primary and secondary polycythemia, which may develop due to chronic hypoxia, or oncological disorders. In this case the underlying disease is treated. Among the causes of its increase are as follows:
- dehydration;
- lung disease;
- congenital heart disease;
- tumor of the kidney;
- genetic causes;
- disorders, reducing the volume of the liquid portion of blood.
51% and 46% - higher performance, indicating polycythemia in women and men, respectively.
Dehydration
If elevated hematocrit in the blood, possibly dehydrated. This is the most common reason. Violation of the water balance in the body can result from prolonged vomiting, diarrhea, heat stroke, burns, gastrointestinal diseases, intestinal obstruction, hyperhidrosis, peritonitis. In these cases decreased plasma volume in the normal amount of red blood cells and the level hct assays deviates to a large side. In order not to encounter in my life with such problems, you need to monitor the water balance in the body.
Hypoxia in the chronic form
Sometimes the rate increase means that the body is experiencing hypoxia. During prolonged lack of air body tries to increase the effectiveness of the blood oxygen transfer from the lungs to all organs. This is accomplished by raising the hemoglobin and increasing the number of red blood cells. When a person has a problem with the lungs, oxygen gets inside in limited quantities. This lack of body tries to compensate for the fact that produces more red blood cells.
Chronic hypoxia cause the following diseases:
- painful accumulation of air in the organs, and chronic bronchitis, which are collectively referred to hypoventilation syndrome;
- apnea;
- pulmonary hypertension.
In certain heart diseases develops an abnormal connection between the parties, with the result that the oxygen level in the blood decreases. In this case, a high hematocrit - an attempt to compensate for this decline due to the production of more red blood cells. Hematocrit increased in renal hypoxia. This is possible after the kidney transplant or a narrowing of the renal arteries.
Composition atmospheric air
Increased hematocrit in the blood in people who live in the mountainous terrain. This is because in the mountain air contains little oxygen. To compensate for the lack of air, starts to actively produce red blood cells. Therefore, climbers and people working at height, wearing an oxygen canister. If you went up to the mountains, and you dizzy from lack of oxygen, it does not mean that the level of critical hct dropped.
Taking medicines
Long-term methods of some drugs may cause r that hct level higher than normal. There are medications that can lead to increased levels of hematocrit. These drugs include steroids and other pharmaceuticals hormonal plan, as well as all diuretics.
Signs and symptoms
Hct elevated levels may cause a number of symptoms suggestive of increased blood viscosity and its related complications. The patient has the following symptoms are observed:
- dizziness;
- mild disorientation;
- nausea;
- vomiting (rarely);
- numbness and tingling in the extremities;
- dyspnea.
A person is formed hyperoxia syndrome due to the fact that a large number of red blood cells in the tissue brings too much oxygen.
Especially in pregnant women status
hematocrit norm in women - 36-46%. Incubation is severe fetal period and responsible for the female body, as it occurs several changes.
Pregnant women require regular monitoring of blood parameters, as anemia is dangerous in this period.
Normal oxygen delivery to the tissues and organs of the fetus determines the correct formation. Otherwise, it may be intrauterine growth retardation. A child may be born with underdeveloped malnutrition.
The normal level in pregnant women must be reduced, as in the second trimester occurs increase in blood circulation, to provide nutrition to the fetus. At this time, the number of formed elements is the same, and plasma volume increases. The analysis is carried out once a month during the first trimester, and often before birth. If there has been increase in the rate, it is necessary to urgently find a reason. This can be:
- abuse of salty foods;
- frequent vomiting in toxicosis;
- taking medication containing iron;
- late toxicosis on the background of a heart or vascular disease.
If the hematocrit level in the blood of women increased to 40%, while in the mother's body is observed dehydration, and a direct threat to the life of the fetus. Thick blood can cause a number of pathologies, so pregnant prescribed blood thinners.
How to lower
First, you need the treatment of diseases that have caused an increase in hematocrit level. One consequence of the increase in hematocrit in adults are complications:
- heart attack;
- gangrene of the extremities;
- pathological condition in which there is provided the maintenance of normal blood gas;
- ischemic stroke.
Doctors prescribe medications therapy to prevent severe consequences of raising an important indicator. Sometimes treatment is not necessary and you just need to change your lifestyle. Fresh air, diet, quitting smoking will cause that figure would come back to normal.
medicines
The integrated circuit includes antiplatelet therapy. Reduce hematocrit in the blood:
- Aspirin;
- Kardiopirin;
- cardiomagnil;
- Thrombotic ACC;
- Magnekard et al.
At elevated blood clotting in the complex may be included anticoagulants - heparin, warfarin, Fragmin.
Diet
Diet - an important tool to help reduce the level of hct. Eat foods that have thin the blood. These include:
- greenery;
- cottage cheese, yogurt, sour cream;
- sunflower seeds;
- corn oil and sunflower oil;
- nuts;
- tomatoes;
- carrot;
- pumpkin;
- Cod liver.
Eating omega-3 fatty acids helps to restore the walls of the arteries, so should eat more fish dishes.
Dietary food involves steaming dishes or baked form. Fried has harmful. Recommended daily drinking about 2 liters of water. People with abnormal blood test to be sure to implement these recommendations. As should be selected beverage coconut water in concentrated form juices and sports drinks.
If a person is engaged in the hard work, be sure to increase the amount of fluid consumed. Do not take alcoholic beverages and coffee. It is also recommended to exclude soft drinks, wine, hard liquor and beer.
Should take antioxidants (prunes, beans, berries), which help to better penetrate into the body of oxygen.
After consulting physician should decrease the intake of foods containing iron.
Lifestyle
Often come to normal performance by changing the habits and lifestyle. First of all you need to start eating right, eliminate bad habits. Make daily walking outdoors, consume enough fluids, preventing dehydration. Complex Exercise must be selected individually. Useful breaks in running and in the gym, you can not overcome himself.
Possible consequences
Elevated hematocrit can lead to increased blood viscosity which, in turn, is fraught with thrombosis. Thrombosing small-caliber vessels, but retained an increased risk that a clot will block the coronary artery and cerebrovascular disease. As a result, the patient may occur necrosis of the affected organ and tissues develop myocardial infarction or ischemic stroke. Other consequences may be the following diseases and conditions:
- hypertonic disease;
- atherosclerosis;
- bleeding;
- subdural and intracerebral hemorrhage.
Therefore it is necessary to implement measures that reduce the hematocrit.
prevention
To avoid serious consequences, it is necessary from time to time to take a blood test, especially if you feel tired, dizzy. Also useful procedure of blood donation. According to statistics, this can be done 4 times a year at an interval of 12 weeks. However, the patient may be referred for analysis after a detailed examination and doctor's advice. The procedure is useful in that the body gets rid of excess iron, which can cause atherosclerosis, the arteries become stiffer eliminates the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Proper nutrition, healthy lifestyle, drinking enough fluids and sport - all this is the prevention of increasing hematocrit.
