Importance of Hydration on Hematocrit

**jump100** · 09-08-2014, 03:18 PM

A week ago on Monday I had blood work done and results showed a Hematocrit of 56% (five weeks into cycle). I had not drunk enough water before the lab work. Doctor ordered immediate therapeutic blood withdrawal. I hydrated well this weekend and before the blood was withdrawn, Hematocrit was 53%, a 3% drop by drinking water alone. The point is that if you stay hydrated, chances are that you won’t be having issues with high hematocrit. Drink lots of water!!!

**kelkel** · 09-08-2014, 05:25 PM

Smart man!

**Bonaparte** · 09-08-2014, 06:14 PM

Sure, but that doesn't really change anything.
Since hematocrit is the percentage of blood comprised of RBC's, being fully hydrated will only lower your HCT by temporarily increasing the liquid (plasma) portion of your blood.

**jump100** · 09-08-2014, 06:52 PM

Whatever the case, being hydrated is more important than not. Blood is thinner when hydrated even if the volume remains unchanged. But there is no question that removing blood is the most critical part. The only other option would be to stop pins.

**austinite** · 09-08-2014, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by jump100

Whatever the case, being hydrated is more important than not. Blood is thinner when hydrated even if the volume remains unchanged. But there is no question that removing blood is the most critical part. The only other option would be to stop pins.

True. Just keep in mind for members reading, that while hydration is important, it is never, ever a replacement for blood-letting.

Good job keeping hydrated.

**almostgone** · 09-09-2014, 12:31 AM

^^^… absolutely. At my last Dr. visit, she was happy to hear I donate regularly. She said it is frustrating to send people that don't donate blood for a therapeutic phlebotomy because:

1) Why would you want to pay for a.procedure that you can have done for free?
2) Why tie up facilities when it's unnecessary?
3) Why not donate something that can help someone else? She stated that blood drawn from a therapeutic phlebotomy is often classified as medical waste and is treated as such. In other words, it is often disposed of vs. possibly saving someone's life.

I think #3 was the one that really revs her up.

**lovbyts** · 09-09-2014, 12:37 AM

I cant donate due to past Hep B in 1990 so I just keep a jar of leaches next to the bed and let them do their work at night. If that doesn't work for you then you can always try getting married. Most wives seem to suck the live blood from their husbands on a regular basis.