Why does haemotocrit decrease in acute blood loss?

AI Thread Summary
In acute blood loss, both red blood cells (RBCs) and fluid are lost, leading to a decrease in hematocrit levels. The body's compensatory mechanisms, such as kidney function, work to restore fluid volume quickly, but red blood cell production takes longer, typically several weeks. This discrepancy in recovery times contributes to the decrease in hematocrit. Additionally, the reduction in mechanical pressure following blood loss prompts a rebalancing of interstitial fluid, which contrasts with conditions like edema.
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In acute blood loss both RBC and fluid is lost, so why doesn't haemotocrit stay normal. I know compensatory mechanism would increase the fluid, eg kidney. But red blood cell prodcution would take few weeks. Is that the reason haemotocrit decreases? Thanks :smile:
 
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Indeed. Plasma would be restored way before RBC count.
 
The decrease in mechanical pressure results in a reballance of intersititial fluid (eg think the opposite of edema).
 

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