Hello, Just Had A Cbc With HCT @ 38.3% And
Just had a cbc with HCT @ 38.3% and RBC @ 4.22. Do I need to do anything to follow=up?
Thanks, XXXXXXX
Anemia
Detailed Answer:
Hi...
Welcome to" Ask a Doctor "service.
I am Dr Ajeet XXXXXXX
I have gone through your query and here is my opinion.
Haematocrit is the ratio of the red cell volume to the volume of whole blood.
Normal range for hematocrit is approximately 45% to 52% for men.
You have a reduced hematocrit which usually indicate deficiency of healthy red blood cells i.e. anemia.
This interferes with carriage of adequate oxygen to tissue level thus causing symptoms like exhaustion,pallor,fatigue,palpitation,dizziness,shortness of breath etc.
If your low hematocrit is due to low iron levels, you should eat high-iron foods or taking supplements.
Foods rich in iron include red meat, fish, poultry,green leafy vegetables,fortified cereals and liver.
The normal RBC range for men is 4.7 to 6.1mcL
A low RBC count(as in your case) could be due to deficiency of vitamin B6, B12 or B9(folate).
It may also be due to internal bleeding and kidney disease.
Vitamin B-12 is required for neuronal impulse transmission,brain function and RBC maturation.
It's deficiency can lead to abnormal red blood cells called megaloblasts, and megaloblastic anemia.
Vitamin B-12 is found in red meat,fish,shellfish,fortified breakfast cereals, soya,milk and milk products.
Vegetarians are quite prone to Vitamin B-12 deficiency.
Vitamin B-9 (folate) is required for neuronal functions and new cell production.
Low levels of folate may cause anemia.
Foods rich in folic acid include lentils,spinach,asparagus etc
Iron deficiency is the nutrient which is most common cause of anemia.
It is required for hemoglobin production.You can have spinach cooked in iron utensils,jaggery,bajra and pomegranate.
You need to make life style and dietary modifications.
Eat nourishing diet with plenty of raw vegetables and fruits,have milk and milk products,be physically active.
You need to procure an anemia profile which generally gives a clue about the deficient nutrient and causes of anemia.
You can also take commercially available preparations of iron(oral/injectable) and multivitamins according to the cause.
Here I would request you to share your haemoglobin levels,detailed symptoms,history of presenting complaints,drug history,dietary habits,any source of bleeding,associated co morbidity(if any),so that these investigations can be read in their context.
Just reading the solitary values are of no value and needs to be correlated clinically.
If the things deteriorate and don't respond to dietary changes,you should see your clinician.
Anemia can lead to serious complications that may be life-threatening if left untreated.
Hope that I have answered your query.
Stay healthy and stay blessed.
Regards.