hematokriitistä

Hematokriittinen refers to anything related to hematocrit. Hematocrit itself is a measure of the proportion of a blood sample that consists of red blood cells, expressed as a percentage. It is determined by centrifuging a sample of blood in a calibrated glass tube, called a capillary tube or microhematocrit tube. The heavier red blood cells are separated from the lighter plasma and form a distinct layer at the bottom of the tube. The percentage of this layer relative to the total volume of blood is the hematocrit.

A normal hematocrit level varies slightly between men and women. In adult males, the typical range is 40% to 50%, while in adult females, it is generally 35% to 45%. Deviations from these ranges can indicate various medical conditions. For instance, a low hematocrit, also known as anemia, suggests a reduced number of red blood cells or a smaller than normal size of red blood cells, which can be caused by iron deficiency, vitamin deficiencies, chronic diseases, or blood loss. Conversely, a high hematocrit, often referred to as polycythemia, indicates an abnormally high concentration of red blood cells. This can be a response to dehydration, lung disease, or certain bone marrow disorders. Therefore, hematokriittinen evaluation is a crucial part of a complete blood count (CBC) used in diagnosing and monitoring a wide array of health issues.