Low Hemoglobin and Hematocrit

People who have low hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in their body need to be wary, as the biggest risk that they face is the condition of anemia. Hemoglobin levels and hematocrit levels are determined by the amount of red blood cells (RBC) in the body, and if this value is lower than normal, it is not a good sign for an individual. Hemoglobin is basically a protein (that is extremely rich in iron) which carries oxygen to all parts of the body from the lungs. Thus, a person suffering from low hemoglobin levels will not receive enough oxygen infused blood in his body.

On the other hand, hematocrit refers to the volume of red blood cells that are present in a given quantity of blood of the individual. By getting a hematocrit count, one can determine the red blood count in the body, and this information can come in handy for a variety of reasons. There are some specific tests that help determine the hematocrit count in any person, and this helps doctors and medical experts in many different ways. A blood test checking for the presence of hematocrit and hemoglobin levels in the body is a vital component of many diagnostic centers.

Causes of Low Levels

Anemia arises as a direct result of a lack of red blood cells in the body, so any activity or function that causes RBC to shorten their life span, can be considered a cause of anemia. These red blood cells are created in the bone marrow, and their usual life span is about 120 days. There are two general categories into which the causes of anemia can be grouped, and they are as follows.

1. When the production of the red blood cells in the body gets disrupted or stops completely.
2. When there is an unpredicted amount of blood lost from the body, or destroyed.

The means of discerning the hematocrit levels in the body are Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) and the Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW), and these help doctors determine if a person is suffering from low hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in the body. The MCV determines the actual size of the blood cells, and the RDW determines the differences in size between all the red blood cells.

If a person suffering from these low levels also shows low MCV levels but high RDW levels, then the condition is being caused by a chronic iron deficiency. On the other hand, a normal RDW level accompanying a low MCV level signifies a different channel of blood loss, most notably through a hemorrhage in the body. Here are some types of people who are more prone to these conditions than others.

• Children who have an insufficient amount of iron in their diet.
• Children who have a sudden growth spurt, because of which the iron present in the body cannot keep up.
• Women who are pregnant for more than 4 months.
• Women who have recently given birth.
• People with chronic kidney diseases.

Signs of Low Levels

There are certain signs and symptoms of low hemoglobin that convince a doctor about its presence. When these symptoms occur together, their cause becomes clear. Here are some common signs that one should be on the lookout for.

• Constant fatigue and tiredness
• Faster heart palpitations that suddenly crop up
• Shortness of breath
• Paleness of skin
• Hair loss
• Worsening of heart problems

The degree of intensity and severity of the symptoms also depend on the condition of anemia, and the individual's body type. People suffering from chronic anemia will display less intense symptoms because their bodies have become accustomed to the condition. On the other hand, people suffering from acute anemia (rapid anemia) will display symptoms more intensely and will feel greater damage as well.

Treatment Options

In order to treat this condition of low hemoglobin levels, the exact cause must be determined. Blood loss could be occurring from an ulcer that exists anywhere in the body as well, and such a source of low hemoglobin should be deduced in order to treat it. In cases where the condition is caused by a lack of iron, supplements of iron must be taken in a regular dose to get the hemoglobin levels back to normal. In some cases, a surgery may also be necessary in order to remove the culprit. Vitamin B12 supplements will also be necessary, and some people may even require a blood transfusion.

If a certain medication is causing low hemoglobin as a side effect, its consumption must be stopped. And in some cases, an individual's bone marrow can also be induced to produce more red blood cells for the body. This wide variety of treatments depends on the exact cause and the nature of the condition.

Apart from this information, you should also know that the hematocrit range is 42% to 54% (for men) and 38% to 46% (for women). Lower levels than this can cause severe damage to the human body.