Decreased rbc hgb hct
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Decreased RBC, HGB, and HCT: Insights from Recent Research
Introduction to Red Blood Cell Parameters
Red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (HGB) concentration, and hematocrit (HCT) are critical parameters in evaluating an individual's hematological health. Decreases in these parameters can indicate various underlying conditions, including anemia, chronic diseases, and exposure to toxins. This article synthesizes recent research findings on the factors contributing to decreased RBC, HGB, and HCT levels.
Diabetes Mellitus and Hematological Changes
Diabetes Mellitus (DM) patients often exhibit significant alterations in their hematological parameters. A study comparing DM patients with healthy controls found that DM patients had significantly lower levels of RBC, HGB, and HCT. Additionally, there was a notable negative correlation between hemoglobin levels and creatinine, suggesting that renal function impairment in DM patients could exacerbate these hematological deficiencies1.
Impact of Lead Exposure on Erythrocyte Parameters
Lead exposure has been shown to adversely affect erythrocyte parameters in children. Increased blood lead levels (BPbs) were associated with a decrease in HGB and HCT, while RBC count showed a slight increase. This indicates that lead toxicity can lead to anemia and other hematological disorders, impacting overall health and cognitive performance in children3.
Hemodialysis and Hematological Variations
Patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) often experience changes in their hematological parameters. During HD sessions, significant increases in HGB and HCT were observed, likely due to the removal of excess fluid and concentration of blood components. However, the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) decreased, which could affect the accuracy of hematocrit-based estimates of relative blood volume changes4.
Effects of Chronic Heroin Use
Chronic heroin use has been linked to alterations in hematological indices. Heroin addicts under methadone maintenance therapy exhibited decreased RBC counts and increased mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). These changes suggest that opioid addiction can lead to macrocytic anemia, characterized by larger than normal red blood cells with higher hemoglobin content5.
Genetic Variants and Red Blood Cell Traits
Genetic factors also play a significant role in determining RBC traits. Recent exome genotyping studies have identified several genetic variants associated with RBC, HGB, and HCT levels. For instance, low-frequency missense variants in genes such as MAP1A and HNF4A were found to influence these hematological parameters, highlighting the genetic basis of red blood cell traits and their variability among different populations6.
Anemia in Critical Care Patients
In critical care settings, particularly among patients with severe ischemic stroke, anemia is a common issue. A study found that nearly all patients developed anemia during their stay in the neurological intensive care unit (NICU), with significant correlations between low HGB and HCT levels and prolonged NICU stays and mechanical ventilation duration. However, these hematological parameters did not correlate with mortality or long-term outcomes, suggesting that while anemia management is crucial, it may not directly impact survival rates7.
Exercise and Hematological Health
Regular physical activity can influence hematological parameters. In a study on sedentary women, strength exercises led to significant decreases in RBC, HGB, and HCT levels, whereas aerobic exercises did not show such effects. This indicates that different types of exercise can have varying impacts on hematological health, with strength training potentially leading to reductions in these key blood parameters8.
Conclusion
Decreased RBC, HGB, and HCT levels can result from a variety of factors, including chronic diseases like diabetes, environmental toxins such as lead, medical treatments like hemodialysis, substance abuse, genetic predispositions, and even certain types of physical exercise. Understanding these factors is crucial for diagnosing and managing conditions associated with anemia and other hematological disorders. Regular monitoring and appropriate interventions can help mitigate the adverse effects on patients' health and quality of life.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Red Blood Cell Parameters and Their Correlation with Renal Function Tests Among Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study
Diabetes mellitus patients have significantly lower red blood cell parameters and a negative correlation between creatinine and these parameters, requiring periodic evaluation and treatment for better prognosis and quality of life.
Observational Study
Very Rigorous JournalKer-050, a Modified Actriia Ligand Trap, Alleviates Cytopenia Arising from Multiple Etiologies
KER-050 effectively improves anemia associated with aging and myelodysplastic syndrome, offering potential as a treatment for multiple cytopenias.
Non-RCT
Animal StudyAdverse health effects of lead exposure on physical growth, erythrocyte parameters and school performances for school-aged children in eastern China.
Lead exposure negatively impacts children's erythrocyte parameters, BMI, and school performance in eastern China.
Observational Study
Rigorous JournalHemodialysis-induced changes in hematocrit, hemoglobin and total protein: Implications for relative blood volume monitoring
Tracking HGB or TBP can be considered equivalent for estimating relative blood volume changes during hemodialysis, but HCT-based estimates may underestimate actual blood volume changes due to reduced MCV.
Non-RCTRigorous JournalWhole blood viscosity and erythrocyte hematometric indices in chronic heroin addicts.
Chronic heroin addicts exhibit elevated whole blood viscosity, changes in erythrocyte hematometric indices, and decreased red blood cell count, leading to heroin macrocytosis and increased red blood cell distribution width.
Observational StudyExome Genotyping Identifies Pleiotropic Variants Associated with Red Blood Cell Traits.
16 new RBC variants were identified, revealing new genes involved in human erythropoiesis and pleiotropy in complex human traits.
Meta-AnalysisRigorous Journal
Highly CitedThe impact of low hemoglobin levels and transfusion on critical care patients with severe ischemic stroke: STroke: RelevAnt Impact of HemoGlobin, Hematocrit and Transfusion (STRAIGHT)--an observational study.
Low hemoglobin levels and red blood cell transfusion activity in patients with severe acute ischemic stroke are associated with prolonged NICU stay and mechanical ventilation duration, but not with mortality or long-term outcome.
Observational StudyThe Effects of Different Exercise Types on Hematological Parameters in Sedentary Women
Regular aerobic and strength exercises can positively influence body weight and BMI parameters in sedentary women, with strength exercise showing a greater decrease in hematological parameters compared to aerobic exercise.
Non-RCTHematologic and biochemical abnormalities indicating iron deficiency are associated with decreased reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr) and reticulocyte volume (rMCV) in dogs.
Low reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr) and reticulocyte volume (rMCV) are associated with hematologic and biochemical abnormalities in dogs, offering potential noninvasive, cost-effective measures of iron status.
Observational StudyEffects of acute heat stress on haemato-biochemical parameters, oxidative resistance ability, and immune responses of hybrid yellow catfish (pelteobagrus fulvidraco × P. vachelli) juveniles
Low water-dissolved oxygen levels cause metabolic stress, immune suppression, and oxidative stress in hybrid yellow catfish, but these effects return to normal after 96 hours of recovery.
Non-RCTAnimal Study