2. • Hematocrit (or PCV-L/L)
• The percentage of total blood volume occupied by RBCs
• The normal range of hematocrit for,
• Adult females is 38–46%
• Adult males, it is 40–54%
• Testosterone, present in much higher concentration in males than in females, stimulates
synthesis of erythropoietin (EPO)
• Impact of menstruation
• Anemia
• A significant drop in hematocrit
3. • Polycythemia
• Abnormally high number of RBCs
• Hematocrit may be 65% or higher
• Raises Blood viscocity
• Increase PVR
• More difficult for the heart to pump
• High blood pressure and increased risk
of stroke
• Causes of polycythemia include,
• Abnormal increases in RBC production
• Tissue hypoxia
• Dehydration
• Blood doping or the use of EPO by
athletes.
• SECONDARY POLYCYTHEMIA
• Whenever the tissues become
hypoxic the blood-forming organs
automatically produce large
quantities of extra red blood cells
• Physiologic polycythemia
• A subtype of secondary polycythemia
• In natives who live at altitudes of
14,000 to 17,000 feet
4. Anemia
• A condition in which the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood is reduced
• Characterized by,
• Reduced number of RBCs
• or a Decreased amount of hemoglobin in the blood
• Skin appears pale, due to the low content hemoglobin
• Iron-deficiency anemia
• Inadequate absorption of iron
• excessive loss of iron
• increased iron requirement
• or insufficient intake of iron
• Women are at greater risk
• Microcytic, hypocrhomic cells with low MCV and MCHC
5. • Megaloblastic anemia
• Inadequate intake of vitamin B12 or folic acid
• Red bone marrow produces large, abnormal RBCs
• Pernicious anemia
• Resulting from an inability of the stomach to produce intrinsic factor, which is
needed for absorption of vitamin B12
• Hemorrhagic anemia
• Excessive loss of RBCs through bleeding
• Hemolytic anemia
• RBC plasma membranes rupture prematurely
• The released hemoglobin pours into the plasma and may damage the filtering
units (glomeruli) in the kidneys
• Thalassemia
• Deficient synthesis of hemoglobin occurs
• The RBCs are small (microcytic), pale (hypochromic), and short-lived
• Aplastic anemia
• Destruction of red bone marrow
• Caused by toxins, gamma radiation, and certain medications
6. Hemophilia
• An inherited deficiency of clotting in which bleeding may occur
spontaneously or after only minor trauma
• Hemophilia is characterized by spontaneous or traumatic
subcutaneous and intramuscular hemorrhaging, nosebleeds, blood in
the urine, and hemorrhages in joints that produce pain and tissue
damage
• Treatment involves transfusions of fresh blood plasma or
concentrates of the deficient clotting factor to relieve the tendency to
bleed
7. Sickle Cell Disease
• Affected people have an abnormal kind of haemoglobin called Hb-S
• Erythrocyte bend into a sickle shape
• The sickled cells rupture easily
8. Leukemia
• Cancerous condition of WBCs
• Results in,
• Easy fatigability
• Fever
• Clotting problems
• There are four major types of leukemia:
• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common leukemia in children, but
adults can also get it.
• Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) affects both children and adults.
• Chronic lymphocytic anemia (CLA) is the most common leukemia in adults, usually
those older than 55.
• Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) occurs mostly in adults
