What would be the expected hematocrit value in untreated pernicious anemia?

Prepare for the AAB Medical Technologist (MT) Generalist Exam with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question includes hints and explanations to boost your understanding. Get exam-ready now!

In untreated pernicious anemia, the hematocrit value tends to be lower than in healthy individuals due to the reduced production of red blood cells. Pernicious anemia is primarily caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12, which is essential for proper red blood cell formation. The lack of vitamin B12 leads to the production of larger-than-normal red blood cells (macrocytes) that are less effective at oxygen transport and have an increased tendency to be destroyed in the bone marrow.

Therefore, the hematocrit value, which measures the proportion of blood that is composed of red blood cells, tends to drop significantly in patients with pernicious anemia. A hematocrit value of 29% reflects this condition, indicating that there are not enough red blood cells relative to the total blood volume.

Values such as 35% or 42% would be considered within normal or slightly elevated ranges for hematocrit. A value of 25% represents a more severe anemia, which may occur in different contexts but is not the typical value observed in untreated pernicious anemia. Hence, a hematocrit of 29% is consistent with the expected findings in this specific condition.

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