Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs throughout your body.
A low HCT could be due toanemia, a vitamin or mineral deficiency, or blood loss.
Having too many blood cells could be a sign ofdehydration, heart disease, orpolycythemia vera(PV).
Illustration by Michela Buttignol for Verywell Health
An HCT test is usually ordered as part of acomplete blood count (CBC).
These may include:
How Is the HCT Test Done?
As a basic blood test, the HCT doesnt require fasting or special considerations.
Blood is drawn from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand.
Automated instruments determine the hematocrit (a calculated value) using various methods.
This is also called anemia.
What HCT Level Is Considered Anemic?
For men, an HCT level of less than 41% is considered anemic.
For example, if test results point to a bone marrow problem, abone marrow examinationmay be needed.
Some examples of iron-rich foods include:
Your healthcare provider may also suggest taking over-the-counteriron supplements.
If iron deficiency anemia is severe, ablood transfusionmay be needed.
If anemia is the result of a bacterial infection, you may need to beginantibiotics.
Sometimes dehydration can cause high hematocrit levels.
In this case, drinking lots of fluids can bring your levels back to normal.
Summary
A hematocrit test gives your healthcare provider important information about your health.
The test measures the volume of red blood cells compared to the total volume of your blood.
U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2016;56(2):528-32. doi: 10.1111%2Ftrf.13346
Seattle Children’s Lab.Hematocrit.
U.S. National Library of Medicine.
National Cancer Institute.Anemia: Cancer Treatment Side Effect.
American Red Cross.What does hematocrit mean?
American Red Cross.Iron Rich Foods.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Iron-deficiency anemia.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Polycythemia Vera.
