Hematocrit

Send Us Your Feedback
  • Also Known As:
  • Hct
  • Crit
  • Packed Cell Volume
  • PCV
  • H and H (Hemoglobin and Hematocrit)
Medically Reviewed by Expert Board

This page was fact checked by our expert Medical Review Board for accuracy and objectivity. Read more about our editorial policy and review process.

.
This article was
last modified The modified date indicates that one or more changes were made to the article. Such changes may or may not result from a full review of the article, so the two dates may not always agree.
on.
Learn more about...
Medical Laboratory Professionals: Who's Who in the Lab

At a Glance

Why Get Tested?

To determine the proportion of your blood that is made up of red blood cells (RBCs) in order to screen for, help diagnose, or monitor conditions that affect RBCs; as part of a routine health examination or if your healthcare practitioner suspects that you have anemia or polycythemia

When To Get Tested?

With a test for hemoglobin or as part of a complete blood count (CBC) during a routine health exam or when you have signs and symptoms of anemia (weakness, fatigue) or polycythemia (dizziness, headache); at regular intervals to monitor a disorder that affects RBCs and to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment

Sample Required?

A blood sample drawn from a vein or by a fingerstick (children and adults) or heelstick (newborns)

Test Preparation Needed?

None

Looking to get tested?

More than 500+ lab tests available online - confidential, convenient and affordable; no doctor’s referral needed, no insurance required

  • Secure and Confidential Results
  • No Insurance or Referral Needed
  • Affordable Pricing including Doctor's Order
  • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Order Test Now Powered by HealthTestingCenters.com
BBB Accredited Business A+ Rating HSA and FSA Cards Accepted Trusted Site, Certified and Secure
  • 1
    Order Your Test

    Online or over the phone, no doctor's referral needed
  • 2
    Find a Lab Near You

    Over 3,500 locations to choose from
  • 3
    Get Your Results

    Most test results sent directly to you in 1-2 days
You can order your own FDA approved laboratory testing online or by phone and walk-in to a local lab location with a lab requisition to have your testing services performed. Direct-access laboratory testing provides the same FDA approved tests ordered by your physician from the same CLIA certified laboratories. You pay private-pay prices with a credit card, online checkout is easy. There are no additional fees for lab services or blood work. We do not bill your health insurance company.

Looking For Test Results?

Looking For Reference Ranges?

You may be able to find your test results on your laboratory’s website or patient portal. However, you are currently at Lab Tests Online. You may have been directed here by your lab’s website in order to provide you with background information about the test(s) you had performed. You will need to return to your lab’s website or portal, or contact your healthcare practitioner in order to obtain your test results.

Lab Tests Online is an award-winning patient education website offering information on laboratory tests. The content on the site, which has been reviewed by laboratory scientists and other medical professionals, provides general explanations of what results might mean for each test listed on the site, such as what a high or low value might suggest to your healthcare practitioner about your health or medical condition.

The reference ranges for your tests can be found on your laboratory report. They are typically found to the right of your results.

If you do not have your lab report, consult your healthcare provider or the laboratory that performed the test(s) to obtain the reference range.

Laboratory test results are not meaningful by themselves. Their meaning comes from comparison to reference ranges. Reference ranges are the values expected for a healthy person. They are sometimes called “normal” values. By comparing your test results with reference values, you and your healthcare provider can see if any of your test results fall outside the range of expected values. Values that are outside expected ranges can provide clues to help identify possible conditions or diseases.

While accuracy of laboratory testing has significantly evolved over the past few decades, some lab-to-lab variability can occur due to differences in testing equipment, chemical reagents, and techniques. This is a reason why so few reference ranges are provided on this site. It is important to know that you must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are “within normal limits.”

For more information, please read the article Reference Ranges and What They Mean.

What is being tested?

A hematocrit is a test that measures the proportion of your blood that is made up of red blood cells (RBCs). Blood consists of RBCs, white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets suspended in a fluid portion called plasma. The hematocrit is a ratio of the volume of red blood cells to the volume of all these components together, called whole blood. The value is expressed as a percentage or fraction. For example, a hematocrit value of 40% means that there are 40 milliliters of red blood cells in 100 milliliters of whole blood.

The hematocrit is a fairly quick and simple way of evaluating your red blood cells and checking for conditions such as anemia. It is often performed in conjunction with a hemoglobin level and is also one component of the complete blood count (CBC), a group of tests that are often used in the general evaluation of your health.

The hematocrit reflects both the number of red blood cells and their volume (mean corpuscular volume or MCV). If the number and/or size of RBCs decreases, so will the hematocrit and vice versa. In general, the hematocrit will rise when the number of red blood cells increases and the hematocrit will fall to less than normal when there is a decrease in RBCs.

RBCs are produced in the bone marrow and are released into the bloodstream when they are, or nearly are, mature. They typically make up roughly 37% to 49% of the volume of blood. RBCs contain hemoglobin, a protein that binds to oxygen. The primary function of RBCs is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and organs of the body. They also transport a small portion of carbon dioxide, a byproduct of cell metabolism, from tissues and organs back to the lungs, where it is expelled.

The typical lifespan of an RBC is 120 days and the bone marrow must continually produce new RBCs to replace those that age and degrade or are lost through bleeding. A number of conditions can affect the production of new RBCs by the bone marrow. Other conditions may affect the lifespan of RBCs in the circulation. If there is increased destruction of RBCs (hemolysis) or loss of RBCs (bleeding) and/or the bone marrow is not able to produce new ones fast enough, then the overall number of RBCs and hematocrit will drop, resulting in anemia.

In anemia, the body does not have the capacity to deliver enough oxygen to tissues and organs, causing fatigue and weakness. In polycythemia, too many RBCs are produced (resulting in increased hematocrit) and the blood can become thickened, causing sluggish blood flow and related problems.

Common Questions

How is the test used?

The hematocrit test is often used to check for anemia, usually along with a hemoglobin test or as part of a complete blood count (CBC). The test may be used to screen for, diagnose, or monitor a number of conditions and diseases that affect red blood cells (RBCs).

A hematocrit may be used to:

  • Identify and evaluate the severity of anemia (low RBCs, low hemoglobin, low hematocrit) or polycythemia (high RBCs, high hemoglobin, high hematocrit)
  • Monitor the response to treatment of anemia or polycythemia and other disorders that affect RBC production or lifespan
  • Help make decisions about blood transfusions or other treatments if anemia is severe
  • Evaluate dehydration

When is it ordered?

The hematocrit is routinely ordered as a part of the complete blood count (CBC). It may also be ordered by itself or with a hemoglobin level as part of a general health exam. These tests are often ordered when you have signs and symptoms of a condition affecting RBCs, such as anemia and polycythemia.

Some signs and symptoms of anemia include:

  • Weakness or fatigue
  • Lack of energy
  • Fainting
  • Paleness (pallor)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fast or irregular heartbeat
  • Cold hands or feet

Some signs and symptoms of polycythemia include:

  • Disturbed vision
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Flushing
  • Enlarged spleen

A hematocrit may sometimes be ordered when you have signs and symptoms of serious dehydration, such as extreme thirst, dry mouth or mucous membranes, and lack of sweating or urination.

This test may be performed several times or on a regular basis when you have been diagnosed with ongoing bleeding problems, anemia, or polycythemia to determine the effectiveness of treatment. It may also be ordered routinely if you are undergoing treatment for cancer that is known to affect the bone marrow.

What does the test result mean?

Red blood cells (RBCs) typically make up roughly 37% to 49% of the volume of blood.

Since a hematocrit is often performed as part of a complete blood count (CBC), results from other components, such as RBC count, hemoglobin, reticulocyte count, and/or red blood cell indices, are taken into consideration. Age, sex, and race are other factors to be considered. In general, the hematocrit mirrors the results of the RBC count and hemoglobin.

A low hematocrit with low RBC count and low hemoglobin indicates anemia. Some examples of causes include:

A high hematocrit with a high RBC count and high hemoglobin indicates polycythemia. Some examples of causes of a high hematocrit include:

  • Dehydration—this is the most common cause of a high hematocrit. As the volume of fluid in the blood drops, the RBCs per volume of fluid artificially rises; with adequate fluid intake, the hematocrit returns to normal.
  • Lung (pulmonary) disease—if you are unable to breathe in and absorb sufficient oxygen, the body tries to compensate by producing more red blood cells.
  • Congenital heart disease—in some forms, there is an abnormal connection between the two sides of the heart, leading to reduced oxygen levels in the blood. The body tries to compensate by producing more red blood cells.
  • Kidney tumor that produces excess erythropoietin
  • Smoking
  • Living at high altitudes (a compensation for decreased oxygen in the air)
  • Genetic causes (altered oxygen sensing, abnormality in hemoglobin oxygen release)
  • Polycythemia vera—a rare disease in which the body produces excess RBCs inappropriately

Is there anything else I should know?

A recent blood transfusion will affect hematocrit results.

Pregnancy usually causes slightly decreased hematocrit values due to extra fluid in the blood.

Can my hematocrit be tested at home?

No. This test requires instrumentation and trained laboratory personnel. A hematocrit is typically indirectly measured (i.e., calculated from RBC and MCV) by automated hematology analyzers. It can also be directly measured by spinning a blood-filled capillary tube in a centrifuge (so-called spun hematocrit), but this manual method is less commonly used.

What other tests may be done in addition to a hematocrit?

The hematocrit can indicate if there is a problem with RBCs, but it cannot determine the underlying cause. In addition to the full CBC, some other tests that may be performed at the same time or as follow up to establish a cause include a blood smear, reticulocyte count, iron studies, vitamin B12 and folate levels, and in more severe conditions, a bone marrow examination.

Is anyone more at risk for abnormal hematocrit values?

Women of childbearing age tend to have lower hematocrit levels than men due to loss of iron and blood during menstrual periods and increased need for iron during pregnancy. People who have a chronic illness such as kidney disease, cancer, HIV/AIDS, chronic infection or autoimmune disorder (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis) are at risk for abnormally low hematocrit. Others who are at greater risk of a low hematocrit (anemia) include people with poor nutrition and diets low in iron or vitamins, people who have undergone surgery or people who have been severely injured. Someone who has family members with a genetic cause of anemia such as sickle cell or thalassemia also have a higher risk of having the condition and a higher risk of anemia.

Health Professionals – LOINC

LOINC Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC®) is the international standard for identifying health measurements, observations, and documents. It provides a common language to unambiguously identify things you can measure or observe that enables the exchange and aggregation of clinical results for care delivery, outcomes management, and research. Learn More.

Listed in the table below are the LOINC with links to the LOINC detail pages. Please note when you click on the hyperlinked code, you are leaving Lab Tests Online and accessing Loinc.org.

LOINC LOINC Display Name
71833-8 Hematocrit Auto (Bld) [Pure volume fraction]
71832-0 Hematocrit (BldA) [Pure volume fraction]
71831-2 Hematocrit (BldC) [Pure volume fraction]
71830-4 Hematocrit (BldMV) [Pure volume fraction]
71829-6 Hematocrit (BldV) [Pure volume fraction]
20570-8 Hematocrit (Bld) [Volume fraction]
4544-3 Hematocrit Auto (Bld) [Volume fraction]
48703-3 Hematocrit Est (Bld) [Volume fraction]
31100-1 Hematocrit Impedance (Bld) [Volume fraction]
4545-0 Hematocrit Centrifugation (Bld) [Volume fraction]
32354-3 Hematocrit (BldA) [Volume fraction]
42908-4 Hematocrit (BldC) [Volume fraction]
41655-2 Hematocrit (BldMV) [Volume fraction]
41654-5 Hematocrit (BldV) [Volume fraction]

Related Content

On This Site

Elsewhere on the Web

View Sources

Sources Used in Current Review

2019 review by Erika B. Deaton-Mohney MT(ASCP), CPP and the Editorial Review Board.

(June 24, 2019) American Society of Hematology. Blood Basics. Available online at https://www.hematology.org/Patients/Basics/. Accesses on 6/24/2019.

(October 7, 2018) Maakaron, J. Anemia: Practice Essentials, Pathophysiology, Etiology. Medscape Reference. Available online at https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/198475-overview#a1. Accessed June 6, 2019.

McPherson, Richard A & Pincus, Matthew R. (© 2017). Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 23rd Edition: Elsevier Inc., St. Louis, MO. Chapter 32, 559-605.

Greer, J, Rodgers, G, Glader, B, Arber, D, Means, R, List, A, Appelbaum, F, Dispenzieri, A, Fehniger, T (2019). Wintrobe’s Clinical Hematology-14th Edition: Wolters Kluwer, Philadelphia, PA. Part 1 – Laboratory Hematology Chapter 1. Examination of Blood and Bone Marrow.

Sources Used in Previous Reviews

Thomas, Clayton L., Editor (1997). Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. F.A. Davis Company, Philadelphia, PA [18th Edition].

Pagana, Kathleen D. & Pagana, Timothy J. (2001). Mosby’s Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference 5th Edition: Mosby, Inc., Saint Louis, MO.

Wu, A. (2006). Tietz Clinical Guide to Laboratory Tests, Fourth Edition. Saunders Elsevier, St. Louis, Missouri. Pp 514-517.

Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. McPherson R, Pincus M, eds. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier: 2007, Chap 31, Pp 459-460.

Kasper DL, Braunwald E, Fauci AS, Hauser SL, Longo DL, Jameson JL eds (2005). Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 16th Edition, McGraw Hill, Pp 329-336.

Pagana K, Pagana T. Mosby’s Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests. 3rd Edition, St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier; 2006, Pp 296-300.

Harmening D. Clinical Hematology and Fundamentals of Hemostasis. Fifth Edition, F.A. Davis Company, Piladelphia, 2009, Pp 82-85,771-773.

(Feb 9 2010) Dugdale D. Hematocrit. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Available online at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003646.htm. Accessed January 2012.

(December 2005) Mayo Reference Services. How to interpret and pursue an abnormal complete blood cell count in adults. Vol. 30 No. 12. PDF available for download at http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/media/articles/communique/mc2831-1205.pdf. Accessed January 2012.

(March 1, 2011) National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. What is Polycythemia vera? Available online at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/blood/index.htm. Accessed Jan 2012.

(Aug 1, 2010) National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Anemia. Available online at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/anemia/. Accessed Jan 2012.

(November 4, 2011) Maarkaron J. Anemia. Medscape Reference article. Available online at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/198475-overview. Accessed Jan 2012.

(May 26, 2011) Kahsai D. Emergent Management of Acute Anemia. Medscape Reference article. Available online at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/780334-overview#a1. Accessed Jan 2012.

(August 26, 2011) Harper J. Pediatric Megaloblastic Anemia. eMedicine article. Available online at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/959918-overview. Accessed Jan 2012.

(June 8, 2011) Artz A. Anemia in Elderly Persons. eMedicine article. Available online at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1339998-overview. Accessed Jan 2012.

Riley R, et.al. Automated Hematologic Evaluation. Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University. Available online at http://www.pathology.vcu.edu/education/PathLab/pages/hematopath/pbs.html#Anchor-Automated-47857. Accessed Jan 2012.

Wintrobe’s Clinical Hematology. 12th ed. Greer J, Foerster J, Rodgers G, Paraskevas F, Glader B, Arber D, Means R, eds. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins: 2009, Pp 3-4.

Harmening D. Clinical Hematology and Fundamentals of Hemostasis, Fifth Edition. F.A. Davis Company, Philadelphia, 2009, Pp 771-773.

Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 22nd ed. McPherson R, Pincus M, eds. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier: 2011, Pp 512-513, 557-599.

(September 24, 2014) O’Leary M. Hematocrit. Medscape Reference. Available online at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2054320-overview#a4. Accessed June 2015.

Ask a Laboratory Scientist

This form enables patients to ask specific questions about lab tests. Your questions will be answered by a laboratory scientist as part of a voluntary service provided by one of our partners, American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. Please allow 2-3 business days for an email response from one of the volunteers on the Consumer Information Response Team.

Ask a Laboratory Scientist