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Causes of hematocrit increase and decrease
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
Hematocrit is widely used to assess the severity of anemia, where it can decrease to 25-15%; in addition, this indicator serves as a guideline for judging hemoconcentration shifts and hemodilution. An increase in hematocrit to 55-65% is characteristic of erythremia; in symptomatic erythrocytosis, it increases less significantly - to 50-55%.
Diseases and conditions accompanied by changes in hematocrit
Hematocrit is elevated |
Hematocrit is decreased |
Erythrocytosis:
Decreased volume of circulating plasma (burn disease, peritonitis, etc.) Dehydration |
Anemia Increase in circulating blood volume:
Overhydration |