define hematocrit and how's the test is performed if hematocrit is abnormal what are the symptoms risks of getting rbc count if rbc is abnormal what are the consequences prepare for blood collection for hematocrit

1. Hematocrit Test
By chanchal verma vats

2. What is hematocrit?
 Hematocrit is the percentage of red blood cells in
the total blood volume. Red blood cells are vital
to your health. Imagine them as the subway
system of your blood. They transport oxygen and
nutrients to various locations in your body. For
you to stay healthy, your body needs to have the
correct proportion of red blood cells.

3. Why would you get a hematocrit test?
 A hematocrit test can help your doctor diagnose you with a particular
condition, or it can help them determine how well your body is responding to
a certain treatment. The test can be ordered for a variety of reasons, but it’s
most often used to test for:
 anemia
 leukemia
 dehydration
 dietary deficiencies

4. How is the hematocrit test performed?
Blood sample :-
 A medical provider will need a small sample of blood to test your hematocrit.
This blood can be drawn from a finger prick or taken from a vein in your arm.
 If the hematocrit test is part of a CBC, a lab technician will draw blood from a
vein, typically from the inside of your elbow or from the back of your hand.
The technician will clean the surface of your skin with an antiseptic and place
an elastic band, or tourniquet, around your upper arm to help the vein swell
with blood.

5. Blood sample:-
 They’ll then insert a needle in the vein and collect a blood sample in one or
more vials. The technician will remove the elastic band and cover the area
with a bandage to stop the bleeding. A blood test can be slightly
uncomfortable. When the needle punctures your skin, you might feel a prick
or pinching sensation. Some people also feel faint or lightheaded when they
see blood. You may experience minor bruising, but this will clear up within a
few days. The test will take only a few minutes, and you can resume everyday
activities after it’s finished. Your sample will be sent to a lab for analysis.

7. Evaluation
 In the laboratory, your hematocrit is evaluated using a centrifuge, which is a
machine that spins at a high rate to cause the contents of your blood to
separate. A lab specialist will add a special anticoagulant to keep your blood
from clotting.
 When the test tube is taken out of the centrifuge, it will have settled into
three parts:
 red blood cells
 anticoagulant
 plasma, or the fluid in your blood

9.  Each component will settle in a different part of
the tube, with the red blood cells moving to the
bottom of the tube. The red blood cells are then
compared to a guide that tells what proportion
of your blood they make up.

10. What is a normal hematocrit level?
 While the laboratory that tests the blood sample may have its own ranges,
generally accepted ranges for hematocrit depend on your gender and
age. Typical ranges are as follows:
 adult men: 38.8 to 50 percent
 adult women: 34.9 to 44.5 percent
 Children ages 15 and under have a separate set of ranges, as their hematocrit
levels change rapidly with age. The specific lab that analyzes the results will
determine the normal hematocrit range for a child of a certain age.
 If your hematocrit levels are too low or too high, it can indicate various
problems.

11. What if my hematocrit levels are too
low?
 Low hematocrit levels may be a sign of:
 bone marrow diseases
 chronic inflammatory disease
 deficiencies in nutrients such as iron, folate, or vitamin B-12
 internal bleeding
 hemolytic anemia
 kidney failure
 leukemia
 lymphoma
 sickle cell anemia

12. What if my hematocrit levels are too
high?
 High hematocrit levels can indicate:
 congenital heart disease
 dehydration
 kidney tumor
 lung diseases
 polycythemia veraBefore getting the test, let your doctor know if you’ve recently
had a blood transfusion or are pregnant. Pregnancy can decrease your blood urea
nitrogen (BUN) levels due to increased fluid in your body. A recent blood
transfusion can also affect your results. If you live at a high altitude, your
hematocrit levels tend to be higher due to reduced amounts of oxygen in the air.
 Your doctor will likely compare the results of your hematocrit test to the other
parts of the CBC test and your overall symptoms before making a diagnosis.

13. What are the risks of a hematocrit
test?
A hematocrit test is not associated with any major side effects or risks.
You may have some bleeding or throbbing at the site where the blood is drawn.
Let your doctor know if you experience any swelling
or bleeding that doesn’t stop within a few minutes
of pressure being applied to the puncture site.

14. Red Blood Cell Count
(RBC)

15. What is a red blood cell count?
 A red blood cell count is a blood test that your doctor uses to find out how
many red blood cells (RBCs) you have. It’s also known as an erythrocyte
count.
 The test is important because RBCs contain hemoglobin, which carries oxygen
to your body’s tissues. The number of RBCs you have can affect how much
oxygen your tissues receive. Your tissues need oxygen to function.

16. Symptoms of an abnormal count
 If your RBC count is too high or too low, you could experience symptoms and
complications.
 If you have a low RBC count, symptoms could include:
 fatigue
 shortness of breath
 dizziness, weakness, or lightheadedness, particularly when you change
positions quickly
 increased heart rate
 headaches
 pale skin

17. If you have a high RBC count, you could
experience symptoms such as:
 fatigue
 shortness of breath
 joint pain
 tenderness in the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
 itching skin, particularly after a shower or bath
 sleep disturbance
 If you experience these symptoms your doctor can order an RBC count.

18. Why do I need an RBC count?
 A CBC test measures the number of all components in the blood, including:
 red blood cells
 white blood cells
 hemoglobin
 hematocrit
 platelets
 Your hematocrit is the volume of red blood cells in your body. A hematocrit
test measures the ratio of RBCs in your blood.

19.  Platelets are small cells that circulate in the blood and form blood clots that allow wounds to
heal and prevent excessive bleeding.
 Your doctor may order the test if they suspect you have a condition that affects your RBCs, or if
you show symptoms of low blood oxygen. These could include:
 bluish discoloration of the skin
 confusion
 irritability and restlessness
 irregular breathing
 A CBC test will often be part of a routine physical exam. It can be an indicator of your overall
health. It may also be performed before a surgery.
 If you have a diagnosed blood condition that may affect RBC count, or you’re taking any
medications that affect your RBCs, your doctor may order the test to monitor your condition or
treatment. Doctors can use CBC tests to monitor conditions like leukemia and infections of the
blood.

20. How is the RBC count performed?
 An RBC count is a simple blood test performed at your doctor’s office. You doctor will draw
blood from your vein, usually on the inside of your elbow. The steps involved in the blood draw
are:
 The healthcare provider will clean the puncture site with an antiseptic.
 They will wrap an elastic band around your upper arm to make your vein swell with blood.
 They will gently insert a needle into your vein and collect the blood in an attached vial or tube.
 They will then remove the needle and elastic band from your arm.
 The healthcare provider will send your blood sample to a laboratory for analysis.

21. How should I prepare for the RBC
count?
 There’s typically no special preparation needed for this test. But you should
tell your doctor if you’re taking medications. These include any over-the-
counter (OTC) drugs or supplements.
 Your doctor will be able to tell you about any other necessary precautions.

22. What are the risks of getting an RBC
count?
 As with any blood test, there’s a risk of bleeding, bruising, or infection at the
puncture site. You may feel moderate pain or a sharp pricking sensation when
the needle enters your arm.

23. What is the normal range for an RBC
count?
 According to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society:
 The normal RBC range for men is 4.7 to 6.1 million cells per microliter (mcL).
 The normal RBC range for women who aren’t pregnant is 4.2 to 5.4 million
mcL.
 The normal RBC range for children is 4.0 to 5.5 million mcL.

24. What does a higher than normal count
mean?
 You have erythrocytosis if your RBC count is higher than normal. This may be
due to:
 cigarette smoking
 congenital heart disease
 dehydration
 renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer
 pulmonary fibrosis
 polycythemia vera, a bone marrow disease that causes overproduction of
RBCs and is associated with a genetic mutation
 When you move to a higher altitude, your RBC count may increase for several
weeks because there’s less oxygen in the air.

25.  Certain drugs like gentamicin and methyldopa can increase your RBC
count. Gentamicin is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections in
the blood.
 Methyldopa is often used to treat high blood pressure. It works by
relaxing the blood vessels to allow blood to flow more easily through
the body. Be sure to tell your doctor about any medications you take.
 A high RBC count may be a result of sleep apnea, pulmonary fibrosis,
and other conditions that cause low oxygen levels in the blood.
 Performance-enhancing drugs like protein injections and anabolic
steroids can also increase RBCs. Kidney disease and kidney cancers
can lead to high RBC counts as well.

26. What does a lower than normal count mean?
 If the number of RBCs is lower than normal, it may be caused by:
 anemia
 bone marrow failure
 erythropoietin deficiency, which is the primary cause of anemia in patients with chronic kidney
disease
 hemolysis, or RBC destruction caused by transfusions and blood vessel injury
 internal or external bleeding
 leukemia
 malnutrition
 multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells in bone marrow
 nutritional deficiencies, including deficiencies in iron, copper, folate, and vitamins B-6 and B-12
 pregnancy
 thyroid disorders

27. Red blood cells and blood cancers
 Blood cancers can affect the production and function of red blood cells. They
can also result in unusual RBC levels.
 Each type of blood cancer has a unique impact on RBC count. The three main
types of blood cancer are:
 leukemia, which impairs the bone marrow’s ability to produce platelets and
red blood cells
 lymphoma, which affects the white cells of the immune system
 myeloma, which prevents normal production of antibodies

28. What if have abnormal results?
 Depending on the results, they may need to order additional tests.
 These can include blood smears, where a film of your blood is examined under a microscope. Blood
smears can help detect abnormalities in the blood cells (such as sickle cell anemia), white blood
cell disorders such as leukemia, and blood borne parasites like malaria.
 Anemia is a condition in which there are not enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen
throughout the body. Types of anemia include:
 iron deficiency anemia, which is often easily treated
 sickle cell anemia, which results in abnormally-shaped red blood cells that die quickly
 vitamin deficiency anemia, which often stems from low levels of vitamin B-12

29.  All types of anemia require treatment. People with anemia
typically feel tired and weak. They may also experience
headaches, cold hands and feet, dizziness, and irregular
heartbeats.
 A bone marrow biopsy can show how the different cells of your
blood are made within your bone marrow. Diagnostic tests, such
as ultrasounds or electrocardiograms, can look for conditions
affecting the kidneys or heart.

30. Lifestyle changes
 Lifestyle changes can affect your RBC count. Some of these changes include:
 maintaining a healthy diet and avoiding vitamin deficiencies
 exercising regularly, which requires the body to use up more oxygen
 avoiding aspirin
 avoiding smoking
 You may be able to decrease your RBC with the following lifestyle changes:
 reducing the amount of iron and red meat that you consume
 drinking more water
 avoiding diuretics, such as drinks containing caffeine or alcohol
 quitting smoking

31. Dietary changes
 Dietary changes can play a major part in home treatment by increasing or
lowering your RBC count.
 You may be able to increase your RBC with the following dietary changes:
 adding iron-rich foods (such as meat, fish, poultry), as well as dried beans,
peas, and leafy green vegetables (such as spinach) to your diet
 increasing copper in your diet with foods like shellfish, poultry, and nuts
 getting more vitamin B-12 with foods like eggs, meats, and fortified cereals