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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Do Low Hematocrit Levels Indicate?

Hi, my doc suspects that I need to have knee replacement surgery, both knees, but the right knee is bone- against-bone and I m already using a cane. I won t be 65 until April but I am double covered through my Federal retirement as well as the hospital where I currently work part-time. Question: Dr. did a CBC in September and prescribed a boatload of vitamins/supplements (B12, Calcium, D3, and iron) because my hematocrit was only 26. She said I would have to get that up before an orthopedist would consider the surgery. So I went to see her again last week and she wrote me a referral to hematology because my hematocrit is now 24. What does hematocrit measure? What s a normal hematocrit? Can I die from this? She was going to set me up for iron infusions but now she s talking about actual blood transfusions. Is it just the iron that controls the hematocrit? Should I be eating/not eating something? I am a gastric bypass patient (2007) and followed all the directions I was given EXCEPT I didn t realize the vitamins/shakes/etc were to be taken forever. I thought I could just drop them once I could eat real food. Stupid me. Thanks for your help. (How much does it cost to get a question answered?)
Tue, 3 Mar 2020
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,

1. A hematocrit is a simple blood test done to measure the red blood cells in a person's blood. Red blood cells (erythrocytes) are important because they carry oxygen through your body

A low red blood cell count, or low hematocrit, indicates anemia

2. The normal hematocrit values are as follows:

For men: 41% to 50%
For women: 36% to 44%

3. A low hematocrit of 24 is suggestive of severe anemia which can lead on to heart failure.

So, you need to take blood transfusions or packed red blood cells.

4. In addition to iron (the most important) vitamin B12 and folic acid also control the hematocrit.

5. You should take foods rich in iron such as meat, liver, poultry, green leafy vegetables and fruits.

6. You also need to have injection vitamin B12 for life long since you have already undergone gastric bypass surgery.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali, General & Family Physician
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What Do Low Hematocrit Levels Indicate?

Hi, 1. A hematocrit is a simple blood test done to measure the red blood cells in a person s blood. Red blood cells (erythrocytes) are important because they carry oxygen through your body A low red blood cell count, or low hematocrit, indicates anemia 2. The normal hematocrit values are as follows: For men: 41% to 50% For women: 36% to 44% 3. A low hematocrit of 24 is suggestive of severe anemia which can lead on to heart failure. So, you need to take blood transfusions or packed red blood cells. 4. In addition to iron (the most important) vitamin B12 and folic acid also control the hematocrit. 5. You should take foods rich in iron such as meat, liver, poultry, green leafy vegetables and fruits. 6. You also need to have injection vitamin B12 for life long since you have already undergone gastric bypass surgery. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali, General & Family Physician