Question

What causes low hematocrit levels in patients with kidney failure and slightly acidic pH levels Other than failure of the kidney to produce erythropoetin?

Answer 1

In kdiney failure, there will low production of urine due to decreased glomerular filtration rate. This leads to the accumulation of the water and solute within the body resulting in the expansion of the blood volume. Also erythropoietin production would be decreased in the kidney failure that leads to low red blood cell count. As the blood volume is increased with decreased red blood cell prodcution, the hematocrit value would be lowered. Also due to decreased excretion of H+ ion, the pH of blood would also become slightly acidic due to H+ retention.