The hematocrit is the amount of red blood cells present in the blood, expressed as a percentage. In adult males, hematocrit levels should be approximately 45% of the blood; in adult women, about 40%. The hematocrit levels are a determining factor in the diagnosis of various diseases. An increase in them indicates the possibility of shock or hypoxia - a pathological condition in which there is a shortage of oxygen in the body. On the other hand, low hematocrit levels reveal the possibility of anemia, or a condition in which there is an insufficient amount of oxygen circulating in the blood. If your hematocrit levels are unstable, start reading the article from the first step to bring them back to a normal range.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Making Diet Changes
Step 1. Avoid iron-rich foods
Your body needs a lot of hemoglobin to make red blood cells. The easiest way for the body to receive hemoglobin is iron. Since red blood cells are essentially what make up hematocrit levels, avoid eating iron-rich foods, such as the following:
- Green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli.
- Chicken, turkey, ham.
- Beef, veal.
- Fish, clams, mussels.
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Iron-enriched foods, such as breakfast cereals.
However, remember that if your hematocrit levels are low, it means that there is not enough oxygen in your cells for them to function fully. The hematocrit levels should be normal and stable, not low. Talk to your doctor about how to strictly avoid iron - in less severe cases you just need to cut back on it
Step 2. Maintain body hydration
The effect of dehydration of the body results in higher levels of hematocrit, in a higher overall blood volume and in a greater plasma volume, as there are less fluids in the body ready to dilute the blood. This means that when you are dehydrated, your hematocrit levels will skyrocket; conversely, if you have enough water in your body, they will remain normal.
- Coconut water, non-concentrated fruit juices (such as apple and pineapple fruit juices) and sports drinks (such as Gatorade or Powerade) are all valid alternatives.
- Remember that drinking 8 to 12 glasses a day will do wonders for your body. Get in the habit of increasing your fluid intake, especially if you are doing something very strenuous.
Step 3. Know which drinks to avoid
The consumption of caffeine and alcoholic beverages is discouraged, because both are diuretics. They stimulate urination and can cause dehydration, even if you drink constantly. To keep your hematocrit levels low, skip soda, wine, spirits and beer, and stick to water or unsweetened fruit juices.
By drinking more liquids, the blood concentration is diluted, as the body stores the liquids in the blood, thus reducing the level of hematocrit concentration. Aim for 2 liters or more of fluid per day to maintain normal hematocrit levels
Step 4. Eat a grapefruit every day
Recent studies have shown that eating half or a whole grapefruit every day can lower hematocrit levels. The higher the levels, the greater the effectiveness of the grapefruit. Eat half of it for breakfast and the other as a snack before noon.
This is because naringin, a flavonoid found in high concentrations in grapefruit, can lead to phagocytosis, which is a process that naturally removes red blood cells from the blood, converting them to other uses
Step 5. Get more antioxidants
They help protect the body from free radicals, which are believed to cause cancer and other blood-related diseases. When you consume supplements or foods rich in antioxidants, it facilitates the transport of oxygen in the body. Excellent sources of antioxidants are plums, beans and berries.
Antioxidants make their contribution in different ways, but the most important thing to note when it comes to lowering hematocrit levels is that they can help provide oxygen to the blood, promoting proper circulation in the body. They not only help prevent disease but also promote health
Part 2 of 3: Changing the Lifestyle
Step 1. Exercise gradually
Again, we talk about the amount of oxygen needed by the body to function fully. Do not go to severe levels of exhaustion, because it means running out of oxygen in the blood. Take it one step at a time. If you feel faint or dizzy, stop immediately.
- Take a break when running or exercising at the gym. Don't push yourself any more than you are capable of. Remember this even in heavier daily activities - it's easy to forget to apply the same principle when you go for a swim or a walk.
- Talk to your doctor about what, according to him, is the most appropriate training for your situation. Each person is different; your fitness level will determine what kind of activity your body is capable of handling.
Step 2. Donate blood
According to the NHS Blood and Transplant, the frequency with which to donate blood should correspond to a maximum of 4 donations per year or respect an interval of 12 weeks between donations. Do this only as a last resort and only if you have consulted your doctor. If you approve of this measure, here's why it's useful:
- It can purify the blood, as the body tries to replenish the amount of blood it has lost by renewing the blood in circulation.
- Removes excess iron in the body. An excessive amount of iron is believed to be the cause of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. When you donate blood, about 250 mg of iron is removed from the body, averting the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Step 3. Take mini aspirin
Again, do this only as a last resort, as it can have other unwanted effects. Be sure to check with your doctor before taking it to lower hematocrit levels, because mini aspirin's only means of helping to lower hematocrit levels is to cause gastrointestinal bleeding.
Aspirin is an antiplatelet drug. Platelets are a powerful defense in clotting in the event of injury. When taking mini aspirin to lower hematocrit levels, be aware that this can completely thin the blood, which can lead to the blood's inability to clot, lightheadedness, or other neurological deficits
Step 4. Try living above sea level
Areas at high altitudes have a lower oxygen concentration than those at lower altitudes. Oxygen is "more rarefied" in places over 250 meters above sea level. People living in these areas generally have a high hematocrit. Moving to an area at lower altitudes will help the hematocrit value to return to normal.
To adapt to the environment the bone marrow, which is responsible for the production of red blood cells, produces more to compensate for the low level of oxygen in the body and, as a result, a high level of hematocrit concentration occurs in the body
Step 5. Stop smoking
Nicotine, found in cigarettes and other tobacco products, impairs blood circulation by altering the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen. The body compensates for the problem of having low oxygen levels by causing the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells, thereby increasing the hematocrit level in the body. Quitting smoking or consuming any other tobacco products will help reduce hematocrit levels.
Quitting smoking is also preferable for the heart, lungs, skin, hair and the whole body. Aside from that, it's even better for those around you. If it's not enough to do this for your hematocrit, do it for these reasons
Step 6. Treat the underlying cause
The elevated hematocrit levels can be related to completely different diseases, i.e. cancerous mutations and potential cancers. Tumors and cancer - especially of the bone marrow - create an uncontrolled production of cells in the blood.
Don't jump to conclusions if you find a high percentage of hematocrit. Seeing your doctor is the best way to know how to effectively reduce your hematocrit levels and is the only way to know why they are high
Part 3 of 3: Identifying the High Hematocrit Level
Step 1. Check for headaches and dizziness
These two symptoms are the result of an excessive number of red blood cells in the blood, which makes it thicker. Acting as signals and compensatory mechanisms, headaches and dizziness can result from elevated hematocrit levels.
Thick blood is viscous - meaning it feels thick and sticky and doesn't flow well. The oxygen supply to the brain is slightly reduced. A lack of oxygen to the brain can turn into something very serious quite quickly
Step 2. Talk to your doctor if you feel weak and fatigued
It is an overall response of the body to the fact that the blood, which has become viscous, has difficulty in providing oxygen and nutrients to the whole body. If you experience weakness 24/7, see your doctor as soon as possible.
Feeling tired can be a sign of various ailments, not just high hematocrit levels. To find out what your tiredness is like, consult your doctor. Only he can point you on the right path
Step 3. Check your breathing
Those with a high percentage of hematocrit often suffer from "tachypnea". It is a medical term that refers to a breathing rate pattern of more than 20 breaths per minute. This is an immediate compensation mechanism by the body in response to poor oxygen delivery.
Again, when isolated, it's not a symptom to worry about. Only if you find your breathing quickened most of the time and for no good reason, then you should be on the alert
Step 4. Look for bruises
High hematocrit levels can cause bruising due to the concentrated blood flowing through the blood vessels. Concentrated, viscous blood is prone to clots throughout the body. The appearance of the bruises goes from purple to black, everywhere on the body. Some are painless, while some can be painful.
Bruises are a normal consequence of injuries. The bruises to watch out for - especially considering the percentage of hematocrit - are those that seem to have no cause. If you have bruises that appear out of nowhere, it could be caused by irregular hematocrit levels
Step 5. Check if you have any strange sensations on your skin
The high percentage of hematocrit can lead to a number of unexplained things to the skin. The blood flowing right under the skin, in the absence of oxygen, can change the functioning of the sensory receptors. That's how:
- Itching. Itching is caused by histamine secreted by the body in response to high hematocrit levels. Histamine is a chemical messenger involved in inflammation and allergies. Itching occurs mainly on the distal part or extremities, such as the hands and feet.
- Paresthesia. It is a condition characterized by tingling, tingling or burning sensation in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. It is mainly the result of poor blood circulation. High hematocrit levels make the blood more viscous due to the concentration of red blood cells in the blood plasma. It is also common in diabetic patients who have poor circulation.
Advice
- The bottom line is that the more oxygen circulating in your system, the better your chances are of having a normal hematocrit level.
- The hematocrit can be expressed as the volume percentage of erythrocytes or red blood cells concentrated in the blood.
