When we take a deep breath and fill our lungs with air, that is, oxygen, red blood cells, or red blood cells, carry this oxygen to all other organs. The hematocrit, in short, the HCT value, shows whether these cells are in sufficient number. Let’s examine the questions like what is HCT, what does its low and high mean, in all details.
Even if it is not often, you should have a blood test at the intervals recommended by your doctor, even when we feel well, and learn what is going on in your body. Because each value seen in blood test results actually gives information about the health or general functioning of an organ in our body. for example Hematocrit, known by the abbreviation HCT, It measures the rate of red blood cells in your blood and shows how oxygen transfer is.
When we take a deep breath, the air, that is, the oxygen that fills our lungs, is transferred to all other parts of our body thanks to the red blood cells, or red blood cells, in our blood. Here, HCT shows exactly the ratio of these red blood cells and thus the oxygen transfer. HCT values that are not in ideal proportions may be risky. Bride What is HCT, what does low and high mean Let’s examine the most frequently asked questions in detail.
Let’s start with the basics, what is hematocrit HCT?
The vitally important oxygen in the air that enters our lungs with the breath we take from our mouth or nose is transferred to other organs and the rest of our body by the red blood cells, which are the cells with the highest number in our blood. These red blood cells Also called erythrocyte and RBC. Red blood cells also carry waste carbon dioxide and ensure that it is expelled.
It has the most important task in meeting the basic oxygen needs of our body. proportion of red blood cells It is displayed as the hematocrit, or HCT value for short. HCT is a value that expresses the ratio of red blood cells to circulating blood. For example, if 100 ml of blood contains 35 ml of red blood cells, the HCT value is shown as 35 percent.
What should be the ideal HCT value?
- Between 55 percent and 68 percent in newborn babies
- Between 42 percent and 54 percent of adult males
- Between 38 percent and 46 percent of adult women
Although it varies from person to person and according to the diseases or special conditions, this is the ideal HCT value in newborn babies, men and women. High HCT value in newborn babies It will decrease to normal values over time. Most of the time, the HCT value is measured higher in men, but there may be exceptions to this situation due to different reasons.
What causes low HCT, what does it mean?
- Leukemia
- types of anemia
- spleen enlargement
- thyroid disorders
- Diseases that affect kidney function
- Pregnancy
- hemolysis
- Vascular injuries
- iron deficiency
- Copper deficiency
- Folic acid deficiency
- B6 deficiency
- B12 deficiency
If your HCT value is below the ideal range in the blood test results, this is called low HCT. This means, It means that you are not carrying enough oxygen to all parts of your body. Although it may occur due to many different reasons, it is mainly seen when the body cannot produce or loses red blood cells.
Symptoms of low HCT:
- Feeling constantly sluggish, exhausted, tired
- pale skin
- Hair loss
- Shortness of breath
- Headache
- dizziness
- Irregularity in heartbeat
- restless mood
- Insomnia
Although it varies from person to person and the disease they have, In a person with low HCT One or more of these symptoms may be seen together.
What is good for low HCT?
- Red meat
- The fish
- Egg
- Milk and dairy products
- green leafy vegetables
- Foods rich in folic acid
- Iron-rich foods
- Foods rich in B12
- regular exercise
- Regular sleep
If low HCT is caused by a temporary condition or lifestyle rather than a disease By consuming these foods, you can positively affect your health. Depending on your situation, your doctor may prescribe food supplements or consider blood transfusions appropriate.
What causes high HCT, what does it mean?
- Living in a high altitude area.
- Heart diseases
- Vascular diseases
- To smoke
- Diseases that affect kidney function
- Sleep apnea
- be very thirsty
- do heavy exercise
- carbon monoxide poisoning
- cortisone drugs
- Doping use
If your HCT value is above the ideal range in the blood test results, this is called HCT elevation. This means that your body cannot maintain the oxygen – carbon dioxide balance. producing more red blood cells than normal. In other words, in the case of high HCT, the body cannot get enough oxygen.
Symptoms of HCT elevation:
- joint pains
- chest pain
- Tenderness in the palms
- Stomach ache
- Headache
- dizziness
- Insomnia
- tinnitus
- Unusual itching
Although it varies from person to person and the disease they have, In a person experiencing high HCT One or more of these symptoms may be seen together.
What is good for HCT height?
- Avoid foods containing iron
- Avoid foods that increase blood production
- Limit diuretic drinks such as alcohol, coffee, tea
- give blood
- for lots of water
- exercise regularly
Unfortunately, high HCT is a much more dangerous condition than low HCT. Because in case of height risk of blood clots in veins and therefore the risk of stroke increases with heart disease. The longer this situation lasts, the higher the risk.
In case of high HCT, it is extremely important to drink plenty of water and exercise regularly. By donating blood You can save both your own life and the lives of others. If you have a situation that blood centers will not accept, your blood can be taken and discarded with the advice of your doctor.
When to go to the doctor?
High and low HCT, which refers to the proportion of red blood cells in your body, revealed by a blood test. In other words, you cannot understand it yourself like a blood pressure meter. However, you should know your body well and observe whether you have the symptoms described above.
If you go to the nearest health institution and explain your symptoms while being examined by a specialist doctor, a blood test will be performed. Results are in most cases the next day or in a few days at the latest. Evaluating blood test results your doctor depending on the situation may recommend lifestyle changes or prescribe medication. If your results point to another disease, new tests can be requested and a disease-specific treatment can be followed.
Expressing the proportion of red blood cells that carry oxygen in our body hematocrit, what is HCT for short, what does low and high mean We answered frequently asked questions such as: What we describe is for informational purposes only. As with all health issues, remember that you should get the most accurate and specific information from a specialist physician.