The 9+ Best Ways to Increase Hematocrit Levels (2024)

Hematocrit, the proportion of red blood cells in the blood, is an essential marker for many aspects of health. Low levels can indicate various health conditions like anemia or internal bleeding, while higher levels could signal conditions such as polycythemia.

Keeping a balanced hematocrit level is crucial for overall health, but it can sometimes fall below the normal range.

This article explores the most effective methods to increase hematocrit levels, focusing on areas such as dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, and medical interventions.

From iron supplementation and high-iron diets to reducing alcohol intake and ensuring enough sleep, we’ll walk you through the different strategies that can contribute to raising hematocrit levels, optimizing your health, and enhancing your well-being.

What is Hematocrit?

Hematocrit refers to the percentage of your blood that consists of red blood cells. It’s often used as a measure of the overall health and oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.

Higher hematocrit levels indicate more red blood cells, while lower levels may be a sign of anemia or other health issues. This value is usually determined through a complete blood count (CBC) test.

How to Increase Hematocrit

1. Iron Supplementation
2. Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESAs)
3. High Iron Diet
4. Vitamin B12 and Folate Supplements
5. Adequate Hydration
6. Regular Exercise
7. Stopping or Reducing Alcohol Intake
8. Quitting Smoking
9. Getting Enough Sleep

1. Iron Supplementation

Iron is a critical element in the production of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen.

If your body doesn’t have enough iron, it can lead to a decrease in the number of red blood cells and, subsequently, a lower hematocrit level.

Taking iron supplements can help increase the iron level in your body, thereby supporting the production of more red blood cells and increasing your hematocrit.

2. Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESAs)

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents are medications that encourage your body to produce more red blood cells.

They work by mimicking the action of a natural hormone called erythropoietin, which is produced by the kidneys and stimulates the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells.

ESAs can be prescribed by a doctor in certain cases, such as chronic kidney disease or chemotherapy-induced anemia, to increase the hematocrit level.

3. High Iron Diet

Just like iron supplementation, incorporating iron-rich foods into your diet can also help boost your body’s production of red blood cells.

Foods such as red meat, beans, dark leafy greens, and fortified cereals are high in iron.

By ensuring that your diet contains sufficient iron, you can help your body naturally increase its hematocrit level. Combining iron-rich foods with those high in vitamin C can further boost iron absorption.

4. Vitamin B12 and Folate Supplements

Both Vitamin B12 and folate (Vitamin B9) play a crucial role in red blood cell production. A deficiency in either can lead to a form of anemia known as megaloblastic anemia, where the body produces fewer, larger red blood cells, leading to a lower hematocrit level.

Taking B12 and folate supplements can help prevent this type of anemia and maintain a healthy hematocrit level.

5. Adequate Hydration

Dehydration can lead to a higher hematocrit level because it reduces the volume of plasma in the blood, making the proportion of red blood cells seem higher.

However, this is a false increase, and the hematocrit level will decrease once you’re rehydrated.

Staying adequately hydrated helps to maintain the right balance of plasma and red blood cells, thus ensuring an accurate hematocrit level.

6. Regular Exercise

Regular physical exercise stimulates the production of erythropoietin, a hormone that promotes the production of red blood cells.

This is because exercising muscles need more oxygen, and the body responds by making more red blood cells to deliver that oxygen. Therefore, maintaining a regular exercise regimen can contribute to a higher hematocrit level.

7. Stopping or Reducing Alcohol Intake

Chronic and heavy alcohol consumption can interfere with the production and functioning of red blood cells, potentially leading to anemia and a lower hematocrit level.

Alcohol can hinder the absorption of vital nutrients like iron and vitamins needed for red blood cell production.

Cutting back on alcohol or stopping altogether can improve the body’s ability to produce and maintain a healthy amount of red blood cells, thereby potentially increasing hematocrit levels.

8. Quitting Smoking

Smoking can lead to a falsely elevated hematocrit level as it reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood, prompting the body to produce more red blood cells to compensate.

However, these extra red blood cells can make the blood thicker and more likely to clot, posing health risks.

Furthermore, smoking can damage the lungs and reduce their capacity to transfer oxygen to the blood, further stressing the body. Quitting smoking can help restore normal red blood cell production and a true, healthy hematocrit level.

9. Getting Enough Sleep

Sleep is when a lot of the body’s restorative processes occur, including the production of new cells.

Inadequate sleep can disrupt these processes, potentially impacting the body’s ability to produce an optimal amount of red blood cells and maintain a healthy hematocrit level.

Ensuring you get enough quality sleep can help support overall health and the efficient production of red blood cells.

Foods to Increase Hematocrit

Certain foods are particularly rich in nutrients that are important for red blood cell production and can help increase your hematocrit level. Here are some examples:

• Iron-rich foods: Iron is essential for the production of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Foods rich in iron include red meat, poultry, fish, lentils, beans, and iron-fortified cereals.
• Folate-rich foods: Folate, or vitamin B9, is crucial for the creation of new cells in the body, including red blood cells. Foods rich in folate include dark leafy greens, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, avocados, and legumes.
• Vitamin B12-rich foods: Like folate, vitamin B12 is involved in the production of red blood cells. Foods high in B12 include fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and B12-fortified foods.
• Vitamin C-rich foods: Vitamin C enhances the absorption of iron in the body, and it can be found in fruits and vegetables like oranges, strawberries, bell peppers, and broccoli.
• Copper-rich foods: Copper aids in the absorption of iron and is necessary for the production of red blood cells. Copper-rich foods include shellfish, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.
• Vitamin A-rich foods: Vitamin A (and its precursor, beta-carotene) helps stimulate the production and activity of stem cells in the bone marrow that produce red blood cells. Foods rich in Vitamin A include carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and kale.

Remember: While diet can play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy hematocrit level, it’s also important to manage other factors such as staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and avoiding harmful habits like smoking and excessive drinking. Always consult a healthcare provider if you have concerns about your hematocrit level.

Drugs to Increase Hematocrit

Several types of drugs may be used to increase hematocrit levels, particularly in individuals with conditions that reduce the production or lifespan of red blood cells.

As with any medication, these drugs should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Here are some examples:

• Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESAs): These drugs, such as epoetin alfa (Epogen, Procrit) and darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp), are synthetic versions of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells.
• Iron Supplements: Iron is essential for the production of hemoglobin in red blood cells. If low iron levels are contributing to low hematocrit, iron supplements may be prescribed.
• Vitamin B12 and Folate Supplements: Both of these vitamins are necessary for the production of red blood cells. If diet and absorption are not sufficient to provide these nutrients, supplements may be recommended.
• Testosterone: This hormone can stimulate the production of red blood cells and may be used in some situations, such as in men with low testosterone levels.
• Corticosteroids: In certain conditions, such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia, the body’s own immune system destroys red blood cells. Corticosteroids can suppress this immune response and thereby increase hematocrit levels.
• Hydroxyurea: This medication is used in sickle cell disease to increase fetal hemoglobin, which can reduce the sickling of red blood cells and increase hematocrit levels.

Remember: While these medications can increase hematocrit, they can also have side effects and risks, and their use should be monitored by a healthcare professional. Always consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice.

Medical Treatments that Increase Hematocrit

Medical treatments to increase hematocrit generally focus on increasing red blood cell production or addressing the underlying causes of a low hematocrit level. Here are some examples:

• Iron, Vitamin B12, or Folate Infusions or Injections: If the body’s iron, vitamin B12, or folate stores are depleted and oral supplements are not effective or tolerated, these substances can be administered intravenously or via injection to help stimulate red blood cell production.
• Blood Transfusions: In severe cases, or when rapid correction of hematocrit is required (such as due to severe blood loss), a blood transfusion might be necessary to increase the hematocrit level quickly.
• Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT): In men with low testosterone levels, testosterone therapy can stimulate the production of red blood cells and thereby increase hematocrit.
• Bone Marrow or Stem Cell Transplants: These are complex procedures used in severe cases where the bone marrow is not producing enough red blood cells. They involve replacing the faulty bone marrow with healthy cells that can produce an adequate number of red blood cells.
• Treatment of Underlying Conditions: In many cases, low hematocrit is caused by another condition (like kidney disease, cancer, or an autoimmune disease). Treating these underlying conditions can often help to increase hematocrit levels.

Remember: These treatments should be administered under the guidance of a healthcare professional and may have side effects and risks that need to be considered. Always consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice.

How to Measure Hematocrit

Hematocrit is typically measured as part of a complete blood count (CBC) test. Here’s a basic overview of how the measurement process works:

• Blood Sample Collection: A healthcare professional collects a sample of blood, usually from a vein in your arm.
• Blood Centrifugation: The blood sample is placed in a tube and centrifuged, or spun at a high speed. This separates the blood into three layers: the plasma (the lightest layer, on top), the white blood cells and platelets (forming a thin middle layer, often called the “buffy coat”), and the red blood cells (the heaviest layer, at the bottom).
• Measurement: The hematocrit is the ratio of the volume of red blood cells to the total volume of blood. It’s calculated by dividing the height of the red blood cell layer (in millimeters) by the total height of the blood in the tube (also in millimeters), and multiplying the result by 100 to get a percentage.

The hematocrit value can help doctors diagnose and monitor various health conditions, such as anemia, polycythemia (a condition in which your body makes too many red blood cells), dehydration, and other disorders.

Symptoms of Low Hematocrit Levels

• Fatigue and general weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Pale or yellowish skin
• Cold hands and feet
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Chest pain
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Headaches

Symptoms of High Hematocrit Levels

• Fatigue or weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Joint pain
• Itching or skin redness
• Frequent headaches
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Vision problems or blurring
• Increased sweating, particularly at night
• Unintentional weight loss
• A feeling of fullness after eating only a small amount
• Bleeding or bruising easily

How Does the Body Increase Hematocrit?

The body can increase hematocrit levels primarily through a process known as erythropoiesis, the production of red blood cells (erythrocytes) in the bone marrow.

Here’s a basic overview of this process:

• Erythropoietin Production: When the body’s tissues don’t receive enough oxygen (due to low hematocrit, high altitude, or other reasons), the kidneys respond by producing more of a hormone called erythropoietin.
• Stimulation of Bone Marrow: Erythropoietin then travels through the bloodstream to the bone marrow, where it stimulates the production of more red blood cells.
• Increased Red Blood Cell Production: The bone marrow ramps up the production of red blood cells. These new cells are then released into the bloodstream, increasing the total number of red blood cells and thus raising the hematocrit level.
• Iron Utilization: The body uses stored iron to produce hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. This is why sufficient iron levels are necessary for the production of red blood cells.
• Return to Normal Oxygen Levels: As the new red blood cells start carrying more oxygen to the body’s tissues, oxygen levels return to normal. In response, the kidneys reduce erythropoietin production, and red blood cell production slows down.

Note: This process is a dynamic and ongoing one, as red blood cells have a lifespan of about 120 days and need to be constantly replaced. If there is a disruption in this process (due to iron deficiency, kidney disease, certain medications, etc.), it can lead to changes in hematocrit levels.

FAQs About Increasing Hematocrit

What is the Normal Range for Hematocrit?

The normal range for hematocrit varies by age and sex. For men, the normal range is typically between 41% to 50.0%. For women, it’s usually between 36% to 44%.

These ranges can vary slightly depending on the laboratory that analyzes the blood sample.

How to Raise Hematocrit Naturally?

Raising hematocrit naturally can be achieved by consuming a diet rich in iron, folate, and vitamin B12; staying well-hydrated; exercising regularly; getting enough sleep; avoiding substances like alcohol and tobacco that can lower hematocrit levels; and managing stress effectively.

Are There Drinks That Raise Hematocrit?

Certain drinks may help raise hematocrit levels indirectly. For instance, drinks rich in vitamin C, such as orange juice, can enhance iron absorption when consumed with iron-rich foods.

However, excessive consumption of certain drinks like alcohol can negatively affect hematocrit levels.

What Does it Mean if Your Hematocrit is High?

A high hematocrit level could mean that your body is producing too many red blood cells. This could be due to a variety of reasons, including living at a high altitude, dehydration, excessive smoking, or a disorder like polycythemia vera.

In some cases, it could also be due to the body’s response to chronic diseases like heart disease or lung disease.

What Does it Mean if Your Hematocrit is Low?

A low hematocrit level may mean your body isn’t producing enough red blood cells, you’re losing blood, or your body is destroying red blood cells faster than it can produce new ones.

Potential causes could include iron, vitamin B12, or folate deficiencies, bleeding, certain diseases (such as kidney disease or leukemia), and some medications.

Does Alcohol Increase Hematocrit?

In general, chronic alcohol consumption does not increase hematocrit levels, but rather, it may decrease them. Heavy drinking can lead to various forms of anemia, resulting in lower hematocrit levels.

However, temporary dehydration due to alcohol could potentially concentrate the blood and falsely elevate hematocrit measurements.

Can Exercise Increase Hematocrit?

Yes, exercise can temporarily increase hematocrit levels. This is primarily due to the fact that exercise leads to fluid loss through sweat, which can concentrate the blood.

Over time, regular exercise can also stimulate the production of more red blood cells to meet the body’s increased oxygen demands.

Does Caffeine Increase Hematocrit?

Caffeine doesn’t directly increase hematocrit levels. However, like exercise, caffeine can lead to temporary dehydration and a subsequent concentration of the blood if consumed in large amounts, which could, in turn, temporarily increase hematocrit measurements.

Does Smoking Increase Hematocrit?

Yes, chronic smoking can lead to higher hematocrit levels. This happens because smoking leads to lower oxygen levels in the blood, which triggers the body to produce more red blood cells in an attempt to carry more oxygen, thereby increasing hematocrit.

Can Stress Increase Hematocrit?

Stress itself doesn’t directly increase hematocrit levels, but it could lead to behaviors that affect hematocrit.

For example, stress can disrupt sleep and dietary patterns, lead to increased alcohol or caffeine consumption, or discourage regular exercise.

All of these factors can potentially affect hematocrit levels. In addition, acute stress can trigger a temporary elevation in hematocrit due to the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response, which can mobilize additional red blood cells.

What’s the Difference Between a Hematocrit and a Hemoglobin Test?

A hematocrit test measures the proportion of your total blood volume that is composed of red blood cells, while a hemoglobin test measures the amount of hemoglobin in your blood.

Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.

While both tests provide information about your red blood cells, they measure different things and can provide slightly different information about your health.

Why Does a Low Hematocrit Level Mean You Can’t Donate Today?

A low hematocrit level means that the proportion of red blood cells in your blood is lower than normal.

Donating blood when your hematocrit is low could potentially lead to anemia, which could put you at risk of symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, or rapid heartbeat.

For the safety of donors, blood donation centers require that your hematocrit level be within a certain range before you donate.

How to Raise Hematocrit Levels for Plasma Donation?

Raising hematocrit levels for plasma donation involves similar strategies to those used for raising hematocrit in general.

These include consuming a diet rich in iron, vitamin B12, and folate; staying well-hydrated; getting enough sleep; and avoiding behaviors such as smoking and heavy alcohol use that can lower hematocrit levels.

If your hematocrit levels are frequently low, it may be worth consulting a healthcare provider to rule out any underlying conditions that could be affecting your red blood cell production.

Final Thoughts

Increasing hematocrit levels is a multifaceted approach that requires adherence to a balanced lifestyle and, if needed, medical intervention.

It’s important to remember that while these strategies can help enhance hematocrit levels, they are not substitutes for professional medical advice. Changes in hematocrit levels can be symptoms of underlying conditions that require medical attention.

If you suspect that your hematocrit levels are low, consult with a healthcare professional who can provide personalized advice and treatment based on your individual circumstances.

With the right guidance and actions, it is possible to achieve and maintain a healthy hematocrit level, contributing to overall vitality and health.