Common "High Hematocrit" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

High Hematocrit

Hematocrit is also called as packed cell volume test. It evaluates the proportion of red blood cells in the blood. The normal range for men is 38.3 to 47.6 percent. The normal range for women is 35.5 percent to 44.0 percent. High hematocrit is seen in patients with lung disease, heart disease, polycythemia vera, and dehydration.

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Can polycythemia vera cause high levels of hemoglobin and RBC?

Query: Hi doctor, My laboratory results from last week show increased hematocrit (50.7%) and high end of normal hemoglobin (16.7%) and RBC (5.72). While the hemoglobin and the RBC are technically within the normal range, historically, I never had high values like this. Usually, my RBC (red blood cells) is ...  Read Full »


Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer: Hello, Welcome to the icliniq.com. Following is my opinion for your asked question. Hemoglobin level above 16.5 and hematocrit more than 49 should be investigated further, especially for secondary polycythemia. You can investigate with ECG (electrocardiogram) and chest x-ray to check for the car...  Read Full »

Why are my hematocrit, RBC, Hb, and mean cell volume elevated?

Query: Hello doctor, I have been feeling unwell for a long time. These are my recent blood test results. My doctor said that the values of my hematocrit, RBC count, hemoglobin, and mean cell volume have been out of the normal range for at least 10 years as far as he could guess. I think it should be invest...  Read Full »


Dr. Singh Smrita

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. We value the high level of confidence that you have in us. Your hemoglobin and hematocrit values are slightly high. Your RBC count is only marginally elevated since the upper limit of the normal range is 5.5 million/cu.mm. From these values, I have a suspicion that ...  Read Full »

What does it mean when hemoglobin and hematocrit are high?

Query: Hello doctor,Last week I went to the doctor for several reasons like headache, weakness, tightness and pressure in the head, and body pain. He ordered some blood work and a chest X-ray. The doctor told me that the chest X-ray report is good and he just told me I have low vitamin B12 level and I have...  Read Full »


Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer: Hello,Welcome to icliniq.com.I have gone through your history and reports. (attachment removed to protect patient identity).You had a complaint of left-side abdominal pain with a headache. Hence gastritis can be a possibility and for that antibiotics and antacid courses are prescribed.Sometimes the ...  Read Full »

Can I take iron injections to rebound my iron levels?

Query: Hello doctor,I have had low iron for quite a while. I also have polycythemia from testosterone supplementation, and at one point, my hematocrit got high enough that I was told to make bi-weekly blood donations. While the hematocrit has been controlled, my iron never rebounded, and I have struggled w...  Read Full »


Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and can understand your concern. Your report (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity) suggests polycythemia means high red blood cell count, hematocrit, and hemoglobin. Your ferritin level is a little low. If you take iron supplement...  Read Full »

Is my hematocrit suggestive of polycythemia?

Query: Hello doctor, I am 40 and male, do not smoke. Four years back, hemoglobin was 18.1, RBC normal, hematocrit 50 % normal. Now, hemoglobin was 18.4 (value was up to 17.7) RBC normal 5.78 value up to 6, and hematocrit at 50 %. Platelets were 226. The doctor thinks I just run high but nervous. Would the ...  Read Full »


Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Your hemoglobin level and red blood cells count are slight high (attachment removed to protect patient identity). The hematocrit level is within limit. So you can have secondary polycythemia case. Drink lots of water at least 0.5 to 0.7 gallons per day. I suggest you...  Read Full »

Is my fatigue related to blood donation?

Query: Hello doctor, I am a 42-year-old male. I had undescended testes from childhood which went untreated (hence I had always been and am on single testis only). The undescended testis still lies in the groin. I used to feel fatigued most of the times over the years, due to which I had difficulty in conce...  Read Full »


Dr. Singh Smrita

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I would like to know as to why you are receiving testosterone replacement therapy. I know that you have mentioned that you have one undescended testis. But many men do not have any problem even when they have a single functional testis. Testosterone replacement thera...  Read Full »

Are my blood test results worrisome?

Query: Hello doctor, I am a 57-year-old male. I just had a blood test. Results: Hematocrit 60.0 (h), blood urea nitrogen 24 (h), MCV 96.6 (H), MCHC 31.9 (L), creatinine 1.36 (H), basophils 2.1 (H), All other labs were normal. I have a history of genetic hemochromatosis.  Read Full »


Dr. Singh Smrita

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. BUN levels represent the balance between urea production (liver), urea breakdown, and urea elimination (kidneys). Therefore, BUN (blood urea nitrogen) indicates kidney and liver health. A high hematocrit could be due to many reasons and is not an indication of...  Read Full »

What does it mean if my RBC and hematocrit values are elevated?

Query: Hello doctor, I am a 21-year-old female. My height is 5'8", and my weight is 185 lbs. I take tablet Tirosint 50 mcg for my Hashimoto's thyroiditis and tablet Slynd for PCOS. My blood reports showed slightly elevated RBC and hematocrit and low MCH. I have had migraines for six years. What is causin...  Read Full »


Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have checked your CBC (complete blood count) report (attachments removed to protect the patient’s identity). In the attached blood report, red blood cells and hematocrit are slightly high, while MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin) is borderline low. These fluctuations...  Read Full »

Can hemoglobin and hematocrit be elevated due to testosterone injections?

Query: Hello doctor, I am concerned about my complete blood count. Three years back, my hematocrit has usually been in 40 (upper range). Last year, my doctor gave me testosterone injections. Five months ago, we found out my hematocrit went to 52.3. I stopped taking the infusion, and four months back, I wen...  Read Full »


Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer: Hello, Welcome to the icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. Following is my opinion on your asked questions. Initially, four months ago, your hemoglobin and hematocrit are elevated due to testosterone injections. You had secondary polycythemia at that time. Testosterone induced polycythemia...  Read Full »

Does a mild rise in hemoglobin, hematocrit, and WBC indicate polycythemia vera?

Query: Hi doctor, I have left and right-sided abdominal pain. I had bloody mucus in the stool, which has resolved, having itchy dry skin all over. Blood test says high white blood cell count, high hematocrit, high hemoglobin, and a very high ALT in the liver test. The abdominal CT scan was clear, except t...  Read Full »


Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Actually, in the attached graphical report (attachments remove to protect the patient's identity), ALT (alanine aminotransferase) is not raised twofold means not elevated more than 84. So, it does not indicate liver dysfunction. In liver problems, ALT usually rai...  Read Full »

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