physiology lab report on haematocrit bood test

1. KENYATTA UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL
PHYSIOLOGY
NAME: LANDO ELVIS OTIENO
REG NO: P29S/16344/2015.
COURSE:MBCHB.
LECTURER: Mr MBURU
HANDING DATE: 16/10/2015
SUBJECT: PRACTICAL REPPORT ON HAEMATOCRIT
BLOOD TEST.

2. BACKGROUND:
-Haematocrit blood test determines the percentage of red blood cells in the
blood. Blood is mainly composed of red blood cells and white blood cells
suspended in an almost clear fluid called serum. The hematocrit test indicates the
percentage of blood by volume that is composed of red blood cells.
Uses of haematocrit test:
The hematocrit test is often used to check for anemia, usually along with
a hemoglobin test or as part of a complete blood count (CBC). The test may be
used to screen for, diagnose, or monitor a number of conditions and diseases that
affect the proportion of the blood made up of red blood cells (RBCs). RBCs
circulate in the blood and carry oxygen throughoutthe body.
A hematocrit may be used to:
 Identify and evaluate the severity of anemia (low RBCs, low hemoglobin,
low hematocrit) or polycythemia (high RBCs, high hemoglobin, high
hematocrit)
 Monitor the responseto treatment of anemia or polycythemia and other
disorders thataffect RBC production or lifespan
 Help make decisions about blood transfusions or other treatments if
anemia is severe
 Evaluate dehydration
Conditions whichrequire use of haematocrit test:
Some conditions affect RBC production in the bone marrow and may cause an
increase or decrease in the number of mature RBCs released into the blood
circulation. Other conditions may affect the lifespan of RBCs in the circulation. If
there is increased destruction of RBCs (hemolysis) or loss of RBCs (bleeding)

3. and/or the bone marrow is not able to producenew ones fast enough, then the
overall number of RBCs and hematocrit will drop, resulting in anemia.
The hematocrit can indicate if there is a problem with RBCs, but it cannot
determine the underlying cause. In addition to the full CBC, someother tests that
may be performed at the sametime or as follow up to establish a causeinclude
a blood smear, reticulocyte count, iron studies, vitamin B12 and folate levels, and
in more severeconditions, a bone marrow examination.
The hematocrit is routinely ordered as a part of the complete blood count (CBC).
Itmay also be ordered by itself or with ahemoglobin level as part of a general
health examination. These tests are often ordered when a person
has signs andsymptoms of a condition affecting RBCs, such
as anemia and polycythemia.
Some signs and symptoms of anemia include:
 Weakness or fatigue
 Lack of energy
 Fainting
 Paleness (pallor)
 Shortness of breath
Some signs and symptoms of polycythemia include:
 Disturbed vision
 Dizziness
 Headache
 Flushing
 Enlarged spleen

4. A hematocrit may sometimes be ordered when someonehas signs and symptoms
of serious dehydration, such as extreme thirst, dry mouth or mucous membranes,
and lack of sweating or urination.
This test may be performed severaltimes or on a regular basis when someonehas
been diagnosed with ongoing bleeding problems, anemia, or polycythemia to
determine the effectiveness of treatment. Itmay also be ordered routinely for
people undergoing treatment for cancer that is known to affect the bone marrow.
PRINCIPLE:
A simple method used is termed as the spun hematocrit or "spun crit." A small
amount of blood (about 0.05 to 0.1ml) is placed in a thin capillary tube, the tube
is sealed with wax or clay, and then placed in a centrifuge to be spun. The red
cells collect at the bottom and forma red column and are separated from the
straw-colored serumcolumn by a small area composed of white blood cells. The
height of the total blood in the capillary tube (red cells, white cells and serum
equals 100%). Theheight of the red cell column divided by the height of the total
fluid in the capillary tube equals the hematocrit (percentageof RBC's in the total
blood volume). This test can be performed in a few minutes.
Hematocrit however is measured commonly by a machine that automatically
determines a variety of blood tests referred to as the blood count (CBC) in most
heath facilities. The complete blood count is a numerical listing of the hematocrit,
as well as the hemoglobinconcentration, and the three blood cell lines produced
by the bone marrow (the red blood cells, the white blood cells, and the platelets).
Normal hematocrit levels
Normal values for the hematocrit test vary according to age, sex,pregnancy,
altitude where people live, and even vary slightly between various testing
methods. The following are reported ranges of normal hematocrit levels:
 Newborns: 55%-68%
 One (1) week of age: 47%-65%

5.  One (1) month of age: 37%-49%
 Three (3) months of age: 30%-36%
 One (1) year of age: 29%-41%
 Ten (10) years of age: 36%-40%
 Adult males: 42%-54%
 Adult women: 38%-46%
 Adult pregnant women: about 30% - 34% lower limits and 46% upper limits
 High Altitude residents: about 45% - 61% in males; 41% - 56% in females
(These levels gradually averagehigher as the altitude where people live
increases. This is a result of the increased demand for the oxygen-carrying
capacity of red blood cells at higher altitudes where there is decreased
oxygen concentration in the atmosphere.)
Aparatus and reagents:
-heparinbed capillary tube.
-lancer
-micro-centrifuge
-Reader
-plasticin
Methodology:
1.Withdraw blood fromthe fingureusing lancet, and suck drops of blood using
capillary tube, fill up 75% of the tube.
2.Seal one end of capillary tube using plasticin.

6. 3.Plasethe capillary tube in centrifuge and spin for 5 – 10minutes at a speed of
600 – 1000vpm.
4. Using reader, contrastagainst the capillary tube, by marching ´0´ mark on the
reader with the inner seal of plasticin of capillary tube, measure the millimiters of
the red part of blood i.s upto the lower end of buffy layer, against the reader. The
millimiter found is the percentage % Hct.
. Record your measurement.
Observations andresults:
(first table 2/10/2015)
Name age Sex % Hct Range
Shamsa Adult(a) F 36 Reduced
Mohamed a M 44 normal
Rajhmaa a M spoilt -
Zena a F 29 reduced
Aulaar a F 43 normal
Booker a M 21 reduced
Mitati a M 46 normal
George a M 46 normal
Yvette a F 43 normal
Cynthia a F 19 reduced
loni a F 45 normal
wambua a F 42 normal
sam a M 29 reduced

7. ruth a F 42 normal
mk a M 47 normal
diana a F 42 normal
joseph a M 45 normal
shes a F 39 normal
elvis a M 54 normal
faith a F 35 normal
kaa a M spoilt -
bivens a m 45 normal
imma a f 43 normal
ali a m 52 normal
(2nd
table 9/10/2015)
name age sex Hct % range
elsie Adult(a) Female(f) 20 reduced
Hazel a f 36 normal
harun a Male(m) 39 normal
victor a m 44 normal
synthia a f 44 normal
Maryanne a f 40 normal
fatuma a f 35 normal
morvis a m 55 mormal

8. phanice a f 24 reduced
cynthia a f 26 reduced
omage a m spoiled -
mercy a f 44 normal
esta a f 38 normal
william a m spoiled -
Jaramogi a m 24 reduced
o.j a m 47 nomal
isac a m - -
-
salim a m - -
moha a m 37 normal
keinan a m 50 normal
cris a m 43 normal
kanani a m 26 reduced
Data analysis:
-Data was collected at randomconsisting of 12 adult males and 12 adult females.
-Averagefemale participant hct%
416/11=37.82%
-Averagemale participant hct%
474/11=43.09%
-overall overage

9. (474+416)/22= 40.45.
-out of 11 female participats 36.36%(four) wereanaemic and 63.64% had normal
Hct according to normal adult female range. While out of 11 male participants
18.18% wereanaemic and 81.82% had normalrangeof Hct% according to male
adult range.
-No participant had high level of haematocrit percentage than the recommended
percentage of adult female or adult male.
-Mostmale participants had normal hct% compared to their female counterparts
participants.
Discursions:
Red blood cells (RBCs) typically makeup roughly 37% to 49% of the volume of
blood.
Since a hematocrit is often performed as part of a complete blood count (CBC),
results fromother components, such as RBC count, hemoglobin, reticulocyte
count, and/or red blood cell indices, are taken into consideration. Age, sex, and
race are other factors to be considered. In general, the hematocrit mirrors the
results of the RBC count and hemoglobin.
A low hematocrit with low RBC count and low hemoglobin indicates anemia.
A high hematocrit with a high RBC count and high hemoglobin
indicates polycythemia.
A recent blood transfusion willaffect hematocrit results.

10. Pregnancy usually causes slightly decreased hematocrit values due to extra fluid
in the blood.
Conclusion:
High or low hematocrit depends on the underlying cause(s), and the overall
health status of the individual,the hematocrit level of a patient will guide on the
type of treatment he/she will require . Mostpeople are not treated with
medications or procedures if the hematocrit is only slightly aboveor below the
normal levels. Some patients with very low hematocrits may require intravenous
iron or complete blood count. Some patients with very high hematocrits due to
diseases, such as polycythemiarubra vera, may requireblood letting (blood
removal).

11. References:
1.http://www.emedicinehealth.com/hematocrit_blood_test/page6_em.htm#how
_is_a_low_or_high_hematocrit_treated.
2. http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hematocrit/basics/what-you-can-
expect/prc-20015009.
3.https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/hematocrit/tab/test.