Can you donate blood with low hematocrit?
You are not alone, having a low hematocrit level is the most frequent cause for not being able to donate blood. You may return to donate when your hematocrit level has increased and you can help immediately by asking your friends, family and/or coworkers to donate.
What happens if you have a low amount of hematocrit?
A low hematocrit level means the are too few red blood cells in the body. In these cases, a person may experience symptoms that signal anemia. Common symptoms include fatigue, weakness, and low energy. If a person has too many red blood cells, they have a high hematocrit level.
What is the lowest acceptable hematocrit level for allogeneic blood donors?
An autologous donor must have a hemoglobin level no less than 11.0 g/dL, or a hematocrit value no less than 33%. Female allogeneic donors must have a hemoglobin level that is equal to or greater than 12.5 g/dL, or a hematocrit value that is equal to or greater than 38%.
When should I be concerned about low hematocrit?
A lower than normal hematocrit can indicate: An insufficient supply of healthy red blood cells (anemia) A large number of white blood cells due to long-term illness, infection or a white blood cell disorder such as leukemia or lymphoma.
How do you treat low hematocrit levels?
People with extremely low red blood cell counts may need to go to the doctor to get intravenous iron or blood transfusions. If there’s an underlying health condition that’s causing the body to produce less red blood cells, then medication might be needed to help stimulate the production of new red blood cells.
What hematocrit level is considered anemic?
Anemia is a decrease in the number of red blood cells (RBCs—as measured by the red cell count, the hematocrit, or the red cell hemoglobin content). In men, anemia is defined as hemoglobin < 14 g/dL (140 g/L), hematocrit < 42% (< 0.42) , or RBC < 4.5 million/mcL (< 4.5 × 1012/L).
What is considered a critical hematocrit level?
HEMATOLOGY
| 1 ANALYTE | 1 AGE RANGE | 1 CRITICAL VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cell Count, CSF only | 1 Any age | 1 Blasts or Tumor Cells |
| 1 Gram Stain | 1 Any age | 1 Positive |
| 1 Hematocrit (PCV) | 1 Any age | 1 ≤21.0 ≥65.0 |
| 1 Hemoglobin | 1 Any age | 1 ≤7.0 |
Why would a patient have low hemoglobin and hematocrit?
There are several reasons why your hemoglobin could be low. Your body may be producing fewer red blood cells than needed. Your body could also be destroying more red blood cells than can be produced. Or you may have experienced a loss of blood.
What does it mean to have low hemoglobin and hematocrit count?
Anemia is defined as a low number of red blood cells. In a routine blood test, anemia is reported as a low hemoglobin or hematocrit. Hemoglobin is the main protein in your red blood cells. It carries oxygen, and delivers it throughout your body. If you have anemia, your hemoglobin level will be low too.
What should your hematocrit be when you donate blood?
For men, a normal hematocrit is in the range of 39-54%; for women, 38-54%. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body. When you make a donation, it removes red blood cells and iron from your body. We always make sure you have enough red blood cells to donate safely.
What to do if your hematocrit is low?
If you’ve had a low hematocrit level, this is due to a low red blood cell volume.The best way to increase this, is to increase your iron intake.Something as simple as taking an iron supplement may be enough to boost your levels enough to qualify for your next donation, however, if you’re like me, I needed to alter my diet to bring my levels up
Can a person with low hemoglobin donate blood?
Abnormally low hemoglobin, also called anemia, can develop when a person does not make enough red blood cells or loses blood from the body. The most common cause of mild anemia in otherwise healthy people, particularly women, is a low level of iron. My hemoglobin was in the normal range, but I was told I couldn’t donate.
What is the normal hematocrit level for men?
We care about your health, so we check the blood hematocrit level of everyone who comes in. Hematocrit is the percentage of red blood cells in your blood. For men, a normal hematocrit is in the range of 39-54%; for women, 38-54%.