Hematocrit Levels: What Are The Normal Hematocrit Values

Hematocrit examination indicates the amount of red blood cells and may indicate different diseases, including when their values are below or above expected.

Reference values of hematocrits

To diagnose a number of diseases, hematocrit screening is very useful since it has the function of identifying the percentage of red blood cells, also called red blood cells, in relation to the total volume of blood. To do so, you must collect a blood sample from the person undergoing the examination.

When the values of the test are very high or low, relative to the reference value, it is because the individual to whom the sample of sague belongs has some health problem. Thus, normal hematocrit values for men are those that are between 40-50%, and the test result may also appear with reference values 0.41-0.50 l / l.

Women with normal values should be between 35-45%, similarly, another result that indicates the same situation is when it is between 0.36-0.47 l / l. If the results are outside these values, more tests should be done to identify the individual’s problem, which it is up to each physician to request. However, there are situations where values are out of normality without this being an indication of illness, as is the case of pregnant women. In pregnancy, values greater than 0.32 l / l are normal.

In addition, newborn infants less than one week had values ranging from 0.41-0.65 l / l or 47-65%. Over the months, the amount of red blood cells in the child’s blood decreases and by one month of age it should be at 37-49%. Already in the range of three months falls to 30-36% and, by one year of age, can be between 29-41%. Finally, when the child is 10 years old the normal value of hematocrit is between 36-40%.

What it means low values

If the hematocrit test is only slightly below the reference value, it is not necessarily of concern, and only a qualified professional can evaluate the result more completely. But when the figure is well below expectations it may indicate some diseases.

These include bleeding, anemia, malnutrition, leukemia, hyperhydration or lack of any nutrients, such as iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid. In addition, during pregnancy, if the woman is below the indicated values, she is more likely to have anemia, which is relatively common, but should be treated to avoid complications in the fetus and in the mother.

What it means high values

When hematocrit examination values are above expected, in turn, it is a clue that the patient may be suffering from congenital heart or lung disease, Addison’s disease, erythrocytosis or polycythemia rubra vera (although not the same disease if characterized by the abnormal increase of red blood cells). The abnormality may still be signs of dehydration, diarrhea, low blood oxygen levels, burns, smoking, being in high latitudes and EPO doping.

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