What Measures Shall I Take Before Repeating The Blood Test?
Question: Hi Doctor! I am just curious about my Blood work. In December last year I had my CBC in which my hemoglobin came 168 and my hematocrit was 0.505 L/L. As a curiosity and thought came to my mind to repeat CBC test In the month of July 2024 and in July my Hemoglobin came 177 and my Hematocrit came 0.511. Also when Nurse injected the needle first my blood didn’t came out she tried alot then she took it from other hand.
So I am worried and curious is everything normal?
As in blood report it stated hematocrit should be between 0.40 to 0.50 and hemoglobin should be 135 to 175.
So please guide me or tell me why I got these abnormal range and when should I repeat the test and what measures shall I take before repeating the test. Thank you!
So I am worried and curious is everything normal?
As in blood report it stated hematocrit should be between 0.40 to 0.50 and hemoglobin should be 135 to 175.
So please guide me or tell me why I got these abnormal range and when should I repeat the test and what measures shall I take before repeating the test. Thank you!
Brief Answer:
It is a bit on higher side
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome here,
Your hematocrit and hemoglobin are a bit on the higher side. Do you have any symptoms like flushing of face, chest pain, fever or headache etc?
Alcohol, smoking and non-vegetarian foods can increase hematocrit. You may want to avoid taking these foods or any supplements.
Some medical conditions like heart, liver or lung issues can cause it.
How is your liver function test? Can you upload the reports?
A repeat test is not currently needed unless there are any symptoms.
Hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Dr Vaishalee
It is a bit on higher side
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome here,
Your hematocrit and hemoglobin are a bit on the higher side. Do you have any symptoms like flushing of face, chest pain, fever or headache etc?
Alcohol, smoking and non-vegetarian foods can increase hematocrit. You may want to avoid taking these foods or any supplements.
Some medical conditions like heart, liver or lung issues can cause it.
How is your liver function test? Can you upload the reports?
A repeat test is not currently needed unless there are any symptoms.
Hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Hi I do smoke and alcohol only on weekends yes i do eat non veg food. Other than this I drink alot of cold drinks and I dont have heart issue and my liver Alt came 40 and all range of LFT under normal. Regarding lungs I have no idea bu last year I had chest xray and all came normal. I dont take and supplements. And have no other disease or pain or any issue
I have attached the reports for your reference
Also on internet it mentioned that for males hematocrit till 54% are normal but labs value says something else I am alot of confuse whether I have blood cancer or lung cancer ? I am worried alot
Brief Answer:
It is not blood cancer
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
Smoke, alcohol, non-veg might be causing hematocrit to raise. You may quit these cold turkey. There is no blood cancer in the reports. To rule out lung issues you may repeat a chest x ray PA view.
Currently there is nothing to worry. You may assured that it is nothing serious or fatal.
Regards,
Dr Vaishalee
It is not blood cancer
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
Smoke, alcohol, non-veg might be causing hematocrit to raise. You may quit these cold turkey. There is no blood cancer in the reports. To rule out lung issues you may repeat a chest x ray PA view.
Currently there is nothing to worry. You may assured that it is nothing serious or fatal.
Regards,
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Hi doctor being smoking and drinking i smoked yesterday 8 bu also i drink a lot of water and next day when I went to blood work and this time after last evening I didn’t smoke till next day evening before my blood work and this time my hematocrit came .049 equals to 49% so now pls describe do i have something or it is because I smoke and smoke cause dehydration and it cause that also I didnt have XXXXXXX soda cold drinks whole day before blood work only what I have and drink is just water and water…
Brief Answer:
It is not dehydration
Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
It is not due to dehydration.
Smoking is known to raise hematocrit by producing more erythropoietin. Erythropoietin is responsible for production of red blood cells. Smoking also causes inhalation of various gases that can raise hematocrit.
You don't have anything for now.
Also it is not just one day of drinking or smoking. It is the regular consumption of smoke, alcohol and non-veg that causes increase in hematocrit.
Regards,
Dr Vaishalee
It is not dehydration
Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
It is not due to dehydration.
Smoking is known to raise hematocrit by producing more erythropoietin. Erythropoietin is responsible for production of red blood cells. Smoking also causes inhalation of various gases that can raise hematocrit.
You don't have anything for now.
Also it is not just one day of drinking or smoking. It is the regular consumption of smoke, alcohol and non-veg that causes increase in hematocrit.
Regards,
Dr Vaishalee
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj