Question 1

why would food poisoning increase hematocrit levels?

Accepted Answer

Dehydration: Hematocrit is the percentage of whole blood that is red blood cells. The hematocrit can rise when either the red blood cell count rises, or the liquid portion of blood decreases. This can occur with dehydration, which may be a consequence of food poisoning if diarrhea, vomiting, or low fluid intake occur.

Question 2

i am working to improve my prior poor nutrition, my blood levels were low. now, my hematocrit is normal at 38.3, but hemoglobin 12.0 (range is 11.5-15.5). is my hemoglobin still on the lower end? should i eat more iron rich foods to raise it more?

Accepted Answer

Hard to say: Your limited lab data &amp; detail makes it hard to offer specific advice. In general if your hemoglobin was low it takes 3 or more months of additional iron in your diet or as a supplement to return the bone marrow reserves to normal. Proper nutrition is a lifestyle choice. If you have made the change just keep it up &amp; you should be fine.

Question 3

how do i raise hematocrit levels asap?

Accepted Answer

Blood transfusion: Blood transfusion can increase your hemoglobin /.Hematocrit rapidly. However, there are many factors that can cause anemia- eg- bleeding, iron deficiency, vit deficiency, destruction of red blood cells, bone marrow failure, other chronic diseases etc. The treatment has to be directed towards the underlying cause.

Question 4

i have high rbc, hemo, and hematocrit. im being tested for pv. my b-12 is low and my drs say take b-12. but since my rbc are high already wont taking b-2 increase them even more. i cant get a straight answer from my drs?

Accepted Answer

: B12 deficiency causes anemia with big red cells. Beside that, B12 deficiency also causes nerve disease (neuropathy) so if your B12 is low, you need to take supplement to prevent neuropathy.
Ask you doctor about MCV, MCH? How high is your Hct? Do you have erythocytosis and do you live in high altitude?
Yes, B12 can make blood count a litte bit higher if you have relative anemia with erythrocytosis.

Question 5

what would cause iron infusions to raise the iron levels but not hemoglobin or hematocrit levels?

Accepted Answer

: I would not expect an iron infusion to cause an immediate rise in either hemoglobin or hematocrit values. Iron is one of the building blocks of blood and the most common rate limiting factor in creation of these cells. Once you have adequate iron on hand the body would take time building new cells. Within weeks you should see a rise in values unless there is some other problem is the system.

Question 6

what difference (health perspective) does it make if an athlete increases their hematocrit to the same level through epo or an altitude tent, say 50%?

Accepted Answer

Thick Blood: More strokes happen. Tissue is extremities gets less oxygen and can be damaged.  This is in no way a health decision.  What are the doctors in your life who have ethical boundaries and standards of practice recommending to you in person.  It surely seems like you have only listened to other people advocating products that are outright dangerous to your future health.

Question 7

my old 80 yrs.i have diabetic since 20 yrs. my hg. is 9.5 my hematocrit is 26 iam feeling tired iam not eating food no appetite?

Accepted Answer

DM, anemia: A number of reasons that you are feeling tired. You are  anemic( &gt;36 is normal), also your diabetes is not well controlled  HgA1c should be

Question 8

my hemoglobin is 9, and my hematocrit 30. i feel dizzy. will 200 mg per day of diglycinate quelat iron tablets raise me fast to safe levels?

Accepted Answer

: You need to find out why your hemoglobin is so low. You need to have your stools tested for microscopic blood to find out if you are bleeding into your GI tract. You also need to have iron studies done to determine if you indeed have iron deficiency anemia. There are other types of anemia and if you have a different type, iron supplements will not help. You need more testing done. Good luck!

Question 9

hi doc . i have a low mcv of 82. normal hemoglobin hematocrit and normal rdw . i am vegan . how do i increase this if its a cause for concern ? thanks?

Accepted Answer

: This is of no concern. In fact, in a lot of labs, including the one I use, an MCV of 82 is considered normal. Despite being vegan, you should try to maintain an adequate amount of iron in your diet. But it sounds like you are doing a good job so far. Good luck.

Question 10

19 year old male! red blood cells were 5.9, hemoglobin 17.8 & hematocrit 55%. everything else normal. am i at increased risk for blood clots?

Accepted Answer

Not really?: may be normal for age and sex. Please do a full risk assessment for clots by seeing a hematologist

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Foods to increase hematocrit

A member asked:

Why would food poisoning increase hematocrit levels?

A member asked:

I am working to improve my prior poor nutrition, my blood levels were low. now, my hematocrit is normal at 38.3, but hemoglobin 12.0 (range is 11.5-15.5). is my hemoglobin still on the lower end? should i eat more iron rich foods to raise it more?

A member asked:

How do i raise hematocrit levels asap?

A member asked:

I have high rbc, hemo, and hematocrit. im being tested for pv. my b-12 is low and my drs say take b-12. but since my rbc are high already wont taking b-2 increase them even more. i cant get a straight answer from my drs?

A member asked:

What would cause iron infusions to raise the iron levels but not hemoglobin or hematocrit levels?

A member asked:

What difference (health perspective) does it make if an athlete increases their hematocrit to the same level through epo or an altitude tent, say 50%?

A member asked:

My old 80 yrs.i have diabetic since 20 yrs. my hg. is 9.5 my hematocrit is 26 iam feeling tired iam not eating food no appetite?

A member asked:

My hemoglobin is 9, and my hematocrit 30. i feel dizzy. will 200 mg per day of diglycinate quelat iron tablets raise me fast to safe levels?

A member asked:

Hi doc . i have a low mcv of 82. normal hemoglobin hematocrit and normal rdw . i am vegan . how do i increase this if its a cause for concern ? thanks?

A member asked:

19 year old male! red blood cells were 5.9, hemoglobin 17.8 & hematocrit 55%. everything else normal. am i at increased risk for blood clots?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?