In: Anatomy and Physiology
A low hematocrit means that the percentage of red blood cells is below the lower limits of normal for a person's age and sex.
Low hematocrit is alo known as anemia. Reasons for low hematocrit or anemia are:
Bleeding due to ulcers, trauma, cancer of colon, internal bleeding
Destruction of red blood cells due to sickle cell anemia and enlarged spleen.
Decreased production of red blood cells due to cancer, drugs and bone marrow suppression.
Nutritional deficiencies of iron, B12, folate.
Overhydration due to polydypsia, intravenous overhydration.
A high hematocrit means that the percentage of red blood cells is above the upper limits of normal for a person's age and sex.
Reasons for high hematocrit are:
Dehydration due to heat exhaustion and unavailability of fluids
low oxygen levels due to smoking, high altitude and pulmonary fibrosis
Congenital heart diseases
Over production of red blood cells by the bone marrow
Chronic sleep apnea, COPD and pulmonary embolism