Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Changing Your Diet
• Part 2 of 3: Lifestyle Changes
• Part 3 of 3: Identifying High Hematocrit
• Tips
• Warnings

The hematocrit is the number of red blood cells (erythrocytes) circulating in your blood. In adult men, this figure should be about 45% of blood, and in women - about 40%. The hematocrit level is an important determining factor in the diagnosis of various diseases. Usually the content of hematocrit increases with diseases of the lungs and heart, as well as due to dehydration. An increase in hematocrit may indicate that you are experiencing shock or hypoxia - a condition in which the body lacks oxygen. On the other hand, a low hematocrit can be a sign of anemia, that is, an insufficient concentration of oxygen in blood... If your hematocrit is high, use the tips below to help you get back to normal.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Changing Your Diet

1. 1 Do not take iron supplements. The body needs enough hemoglobin to form red blood cells. The easiest way to get hemoglobin is to consume iron. Since red blood cells significantly increase hematocrit levels, try not to take iron supplements to avoid getting excess amounts of this trace mineral.
   • If you are taking iron supplements and want to stop using them, talk to your doctor about the best course of action.
2. 2 Maintain the body's water balance. Dehydration increases hematocrit because it reduces blood and plasma volume, which means the body has less fluid to dilute the blood. This means that with severe dehydration, the hematocrit content increases significantly. On the other hand, if there is enough water in the body, the hematocrit level will remain within the normal range.
   • Coconut water, non-concentrated drinks with juice (such as apple or pineapple), and sports drinks can help prevent dehydration.
   • Remember to drink 8-12 glasses (2-3 liters) of water a day to maintain good health. Get in the habit of drinking plenty of fluids, especially during intense physical activity.
3. 3 Refrain from certain drinks. It is not recommended to consume caffeine and alcohol as they are diuretics. They stimulate urination and can cause dehydration even if you drink enough fluids. To keep your hematocrit low, avoid soda, wine, spirits, or beer. Prefer water and unsweetened juices.
   • Drinking more fluids will dilute your blood as the body builds up fluid in the circulatory system and thereby lowers the hematocrit level. Aim to drink at least two liters of fluid daily to maintain normal hematocrit levels.
4. 4 Eat grapefruit every day. Recent studies have shown that eating half a grapefruit daily can lower your hematocrit. The higher the hematocrit content, the more effective the grapefruit will be. Eat half a grapefruit at breakfast and another in the middle of the day.
   • This is due to the fact that grapefruit contains a large amount of the flavonoid naringin, which can lead to phagocytosis - this process allows you to naturally remove red blood cells from the blood and recycle them for other purposes.
5. 5 Eat more antioxidants. This will help you protect your body from free radicals, which are thought to cause cancer and other blood disorders. Antioxidant-rich foods and supplements make it easier for the body to carry oxygen. Prunes, beans and berries are high in antioxidants.
   • Antioxidants are beneficial for many reasons. With regard to the hematocrit level, lowering it can improve the supply of oxygen to the blood and normalize its circulation in the body. It helps to promote health and prevent various diseases.

Part 2 of 3: Lifestyle Changes

1. 1 Exercise in moderation. Regular exercise helps to improve your health. However, don't overdo it. Exercise too intense can lead to an increase in hematocrit levels. Try the following light exercise:
   • fast walk;
   • leisurely cycling;
   • cleaning the house;
   • work in the garden or in the garden.
2. 2 Donate blood. Experts recommend donating blood no more than four times a year, or at intervals of 12 weeks between each donation. Use this method as a last resort and only after consulting your doctor. The doctor may approve this method for the following reasons:
   • This will help cleanse the blood, since all the body's forces will be directed towards replenishing the lost blood with fresh blood.
   • Thus, you will remove excess iron from the body. Excessive amounts of iron are thought to be the cause of atherosclerosis, which is the hardening of the walls of the arteries. When donating blood, about 250 milligrams of iron is excreted from the body, which reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
3. 3 Take small amounts of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). Only follow this advice as a last resort, as aspirin can cause unpleasant side effects. Be sure to talk to your doctor about using acetylsalicylic acid as a hematocrit lowering agent, as it can cause gastrointestinal bleeding.
   • Aspirin prevents blood clots from forming. Platelets are of great benefit when it is necessary to stop bleeding after an injury. If you are taking acetylsalicylic acid to lower your hematocrit, be aware that it is a blood thinner. Taking aspirin can severely impair blood clotting and cause dizziness and other neurological disorders.
4. 4 Try to stay less high above sea level. The higher above sea level, the lower the oxygen concentration. Above 2500 meters above sea level, the air is considered to be “oxygen-depleted”. Those who live above this level usually have elevated hematocrit levels. If possible, move to a flat area to help normalize hematocrit levels.
   • In order to adapt to the environment, the bone marrow, which is responsible for the production of red blood cells, produces more red blood cells in an attempt to compensate for the low oxygen levels in the body, and as a result, the hematocrit level rises.
5. 5 Quit smoking. The nicotine contained in tobacco impairs blood circulation, as it negatively affects the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen. The body tries to compensate for the lowered oxygen level by making the bone marrow produce more red blood cells, and as a result, the hematocrit concentration rises. Quit smoking and other tobacco use to lower your hematocrit.
   • Quitting smoking will benefit your heart, lungs, skin, hair and overall health. In addition, it will be better for the people around you.Think about it if trying to lower your hematocrit level alone isn't a compelling enough reason for you to quit smoking.
6. 6 Treat the cause. The increased hematocrit level may be due to some kind of disease, namely cancer and possible tumor. Tumors and cancers, especially bone marrow cancer, cause uncontrolled production of blood cells.
   • Don't jump to conclusions if you have a high hematocrit. Talking to your doctor is not only the best way to learn how to effectively lower your hematocrit, but also the only one a way to determine why it is promoted.

Part 3 of 3: Identifying High Hematocrit

1. 1 Pay attention to headaches and dizziness. These two symptoms are caused by an excessive amount of red blood cells in the blood, which makes it too concentrated. High hematocrit levels can cause headache and dizziness, which act as a signaling and compensatory mechanism.
   • Concentrated blood has a high viscosity - it is thick and sticky, so it flows worse through the vessels. In turn, the supply of oxygen to the brain is slightly reduced. Deficiency of oxygen in the brain can very quickly lead to serious consequences.
2. 2 Consult your doctor if you feel weak or tired. This is a general reaction of the body to too viscous blood, which worsens the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to various organs and parts of the body. If you feel persistently weak, consult your doctor as soon as possible.
   • Besides high hematocrit levels, fatigue can be a sign of a wide variety of health problems. See your doctor to find out why you are tired. Only a qualified doctor will be able to identify the problem and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
3. 3 Watch your breathing. High hematocrit levels are often accompanied by so-called "tachypnea". This medical term refers to rapid breathing (more than 20 breaths per minute). It is the body's short-term compensatory mechanism in response to poor oxygen supply.
   • By itself, this symptom is not a cause for concern. You should only worry if you notice that your breathing is constantly increasing for no apparent reason.
4. 4 Pay attention to bruising. High hematocrit levels can cause bruising in polycythemia vera. Concentrated, viscous blood can form clots all over the body. In this case, purple or black bruises may appear on the body. They can be painless or painful.
   • It is normal for bruises to appear as a result of an injury. However, you should pay attention to bruising and bruising (especially if you are worried about an elevated hematocrit level) if they form for no apparent reason. If bruising occurs without any injury, it could be caused by a high hematocrit.
5. 5 Notice the strange tactile sensations. High hematocrit levels can cause unexpected sensations on the surface of the skin. If the sensory receptors are not adequately supplied with oxygen, this can adversely affect their function. Please note the following:
   • Itching... Itching is caused by histamine released by the body in response to high hematocrit levels. Histamine is a chemical messenger involved in inflammation and allergies. Itching usually occurs on the periphery of the body and in the extremities, such as the palms and feet.
   • Paresthesia... This is a tingling or burning sensation in the skin of the palms and soles of the feet. It is usually caused by poor blood supply. High hematocrit levels increase blood viscosity due to the increased concentration of red blood cells in the blood plasma. This problem is also common among diabetics, who also have poor circulation.

Tips

• As a general rule of thumb, the better your body is supplied with oxygen, the higher the chances that your hematocrit will be normal.
• The hematocrit level can be referred to as the volume fraction of red blood cells or the volume of precipitated red blood cells.
• If you have chronic lung or heart disease, or sleep apnea, talk to your doctor about what you can do to keep your hematocrit level from being affected.

Warnings

• Avoid long-term exposure to carbon monoxide as it can increase your hematocrit.
• The hematocrit level may rise at the beginning of testosterone therapy. If this happens, talk to your doctor about alternative treatments.