Ask a doctor on the topic of Internal medicine

Help, hemoglobin and hematocrit values are too high!

October 21, 2016 | 15,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Hello,

Hello, I am M/24 years old and have a question:

I have had blood drawn twice now. Last week my hemoglobin was at 18 and my hematocrit was at 52%.

Today I received the new results: Hemoglobin 19.3% and Hematocrit 57(!!) %

What could be the reason for this? I can't explain it. Currently, I am not working, I have severe depression and I am currently just lying in bed and not doing any sports because I simply have no motivation. However, it is inexplicable to me how my hematocrit level can be at 57%? The normal range for an adult man would be 45-49%. After the first blood test, I made sure to drink more, I now drink at least 2 liters a day, often 3 liters.

I have an appointment with a hematologist next Thursday, but I am worried that something might happen before then, like a thrombosis, etc. I have been prescribed Aspirin 100 to prevent blood clotting, taking it once a day. Am I adequately protected until Thursday?

What should I do now? Is it currently life-threatening?

Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Good day,

It's not life-threatening, especially not under aspirin. Smokers often have such values, so if you are one, you should quit. The values will probably soon return to normal. The perfect therapy right now is to donate blood. This will immediately normalize everything, and you will have also done a good deed.

Sincerely, Dr. Höllering