Low hematocrit after blood test, what's the danger?

Hematocrit level is one of the things that is checked in a complete blood count. Low levels usually indicate that you have anemia. Apart from anemia, high and low hematocrit levels can also indicate other health problems. Check out the full review of what the hematocrit is and how to increase it in your blood.

What is a hematocrit?

Blood consists of three major components, namely red blood cells, white blood cells, and blood plasma. Hematocrit is the ratio of the number of red blood cells to the total blood volume calculated as a percentage. If your hematocrit level is known to be 20%, this means that there are 20 milliliters of red blood cells per 100 milliliters of your blood.

This check is usually done in conjunction with a complete blood count. Usually done to detect anemia, accompanying examination of hemoglobin (Hb) levels. Checks can also be done to find out the body's reaction to the treatment you are currently undergoing.

Hematocrit examination serves to:

Identify the severity of anemia
Monitor your response to anemia treatment
Help determine if you need a blood transfusion if you have severe anemia
Evaluate dehydration

A hematocrit check is usually ordered when you experience symptoms of red blood cell disorders, such as anemia and polycythemia. Some of the symptoms of anemia that may appear, such as fatigue, dizziness, headaches, and pale skin.

Meanwhile, symptoms of polycythemia include blurred or double vision, shortness of breath, headache, itching, skin flushing, fatigue, excessive sweating.

In certain conditions, such as dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), a complete blood test accompanied by vital signs is important to be monitored on an ongoing basis to determine the progress of the patient's condition.

What does it mean if the hematocrit level is low?

Each person's hematocrit levels are different, depending on their gender and age. The normal amount of hematocrit in the blood is 38.8-50% in adult men and 34.9-44.5 percent in adult women. For children aged 15 years and under, the number will usually continue to increase with age.

The results of interlaboratory examinations may differ from one another. However, usually the ratio between the numbers will not exceed 7 percent. Quoted from the Lab Tests Online site, low hemtocrit levels can occur because:

Iron deficiency anemia, B12 and folate deficiency anemia
Chronic inflammatory disease
Excessive blood loss, for example due to severe trauma or chronic bleeding
Chronic kidney disease
Excessive destruction of red blood cells due to defects in these blood cells
Bone marrow disease caused by toxins, radiation or chemotherapy, infections or certain drugs
Bone marrow disorders, such as aplastic anemia, or cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, or other cancers that have spread to the marrow.

In addition, low levels can also be affected by pregnancy, blood donation, heavy blood loss (for example due to bleeding), or living in high altitudes.

The doctor will usually match the results of your hematocrit test with the results of other blood tests and a physical examination along with the symptoms you are experiencing, before determining a diagnosis. It is important to share any symptoms and medical history that you or your family have experienced, to help your doctor confirm the correct diagnosis.

How to handle it?

If the drop is small and you don't feel any complaints, your doctor may do a basic examination.

If the cause is anemia, the doctor will suggest treatment according to the cause of the anemia you are experiencing. You may be prescribed various vitamins for anemia, such as iron supplements, if the cause of your low hematocrit is iron deficiency anemia.

Low hematocrit levels can generally be overcome by eating iron-rich foods, such as: