How High Hematocrit is Dangerous?

Mine was very similar. I wonder if runners generally have higher levels than cyclists? I don't think it's dangerous, I've heard of people who naturally have levels higher than 50.

its not dangerous

So what if a cyclist had a natural hematocrit over 50? They wouldn't be able to ride?

joobanger wrote:

So what if a cyclist had a natural hematocrit over 50? They wouldn't be able to ride?

My understanding is that some riders are issued an exemption for naturally high hematocrit. I expect they monitor these guys especially carefully.

There are different individual ranges. If a 48.5 is achieved naturally, then you should be fine, but make sure you never exercise in a severely dehydrated condition, because that number could go over 50 in a hurry, and your heart might not like that. It will have to pump that much harder to move the "sludge" through the pipes, and may rebel at some point... You probably want to talk to a specialist about that possbility...

Did you know a non-exerciser will have a hematocrit higher than an endurance athlete? So an elite distance runner will likely have a hematrocit much lower than the usual high school or college runner.

Alan

So if I run 70 miles a week, my hematocrit would get even higher if I stopped?

Yes, Alan, I am well aware of all the issues re: haematocrit levels - Did you have any other question? :)

Runningart2004 wrote:

Did you know a non-exerciser will have a hematocrit higher than an endurance athlete? So an elite distance runner will likely have a hematrocit much lower than the usual high school or college runner.

Alan

Is that because blood volume increases with training?

Runningart2004 wrote:

Did you know a non-exerciser will have a hematocrit higher than an endurance athlete? So an elite distance runner will likely have a hematrocit much lower than the usual high school or college runner.

Alan

Not necessarily true. I am married to an elite endurance athlete. Her hematocrit has always tested in the 47-49 range. For a recent regular physical she went in right after a hard workout in which she got a little dehydrated and it tested over 50. This is well above the typical level of the usual high school or college runner. The truly elite endurance athletes generally have physiology that is significantly better than you or I.

So what is normal for a high school athlete and what is normal for an elite?

If your partner is walking around with a 49 Hct., and without cheating, she is from Mars...Just so you know :)

thhrthbf wrote:

Runningart2004 wrote:

Did you know a non-exerciser will have a hematocrit higher than an endurance athlete? So an elite distance runner will likely have a hematrocit much lower than the usual high school or college runner.

Alan

Is that because blood volume increases with training?

Yes...training increases both RBC and plasma, but plasma is increased exponentially higher. Which makes you think. If having easily flowing blood is a benefit to endurance performance why then does artificially boosting RBC work? Is it that this increase in plasma is simply a self-preserving mechanism by the body? The body doesn't care about performance...only the health of the internal organs.

Alan

I had some blood work done a couple weeks ago and my hematocrit was 39, hemoglobin 14. The test said it was low and normal hematocrit minimum was 40. Should I be concerned and/or take an iron supplement? I'm a collegiate runner, but usually maintain pretty low mileage (40-50 mpw).

And can you have low hematocrit but a normal iron level?

Bump

I had blood drawn three days ago and will have results back in the morning. I asked for Ferritin, Hematocrit and Hemoglobin #s, and also had a Thyroid/THG test.

I've had all the symptoms of anemia. Sleeping way more than normal. Struggling to run 7:00 pace on easy runs when I usually run 6:30s easily. And struggling 30 mins into easy runs no matter how slow I start off.

What are normal ranges for Ferritin, Hematocrit and Hemoglobin?

will donating blood decrease performance? If I were to donate blood, would that negate a portion of the workouts I've done that caused those blood cells to adapt? Would the new blood that is formed not have the benefits?

irun....iron... wrote:

will donating blood decrease performance? If I were to donate blood, would that negate a portion of the workouts I've done that caused those blood cells to adapt? Would the new blood that is formed not have the benefits?

Yes, performance will decrease until red blood cell count recovers. Generally the new blood cells should actually be better as they are more pliable and will move through capilaries easier.