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Most of the cells in the human body are red blood cells. Hence, it is very important to keep the RBC levels in check to avoid possible medical disorders. Haematocrit test in a blood test is one of the ways to measure the number of red blood cells in an individual's blood sample.
Continue reading this article to learn what haematocrit is in a blood test.
The Haematocrit test or HCT in blood test is a test that measures the amount of red blood cells in an individual’s blood. Erythrocytes or red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the human body. Both high and low red blood cell counts can lead to chronic diseases or several medical conditions. The HCT is also known as PCV or Packed-cell Volume test.
An HCT test is generally a part of the CBC or complete blood count, which measures the different components in a blood sample. Haematocrit test helps medical professionals diagnose several blood-related disorders, such as polycythaemia vera or anaemia.
Doctors might suggest an HCT test if you have symptoms of anaemia or polycythaemia vera. Symptoms of anaemia include:
Symptoms of polycythaemia vera are as follows:
As this test is usually done with the complete blood count test, no special preparation is required before this test. The physician will conduct the HCT test in his or her clinic and refer you to a lab for the testing.
During the test, a lab technician will clean the area and draw blood from it. It is generally done on the arm. After the blood draw, the lab technician will cover the area with a gauge and put on a bandage.
The normal values for HCT in blood tests depend on several factors, such as sex, age, altitude where an individual resides, pregnancy and also on different testing methods. The table illustrated below shows the normal HCT values based on their ages:
|
Age of an Individual |
Normal HCT Ranges |
|
New-borns |
55% to 68% |
|
One week after birth |
47% to 65% |
|
One month after birth |
30% to 36% |
|
One year after birth |
29% to 41% |
|
Ten years old child |
36% to 40% |
|
Adult males |
42% to 54% |
|
Adult females |
38% to 46% |
|
Adult pregnant women |
Around 30% to 40% lower limit 46% upper limit |
Moreover, this range also depends on the altitude they live in. The normal HCT values are generally higher as the altitude increases. This is because the red blood cells require more oxygen at higher altitudes. The table below shows the normal HCT levels for males and females at higher altitudes:
|
Gender |
Normal HCT Ranges |
|
Males at high altitude |
45% to 61% |
|
Females at high altitude |
41% to 56% |
If the HCT in blood is higher than the normal value, it indicates:
However, if the HCT value is lower than normal, it means:
Individuals having low HCT levels should consult their doctor to know the cause and treatment for underlying conditions. Further, there are some additional lifestyle changes that can help you increase the HCT levels. These include:
Note: Make sure to consult your doctor before consuming the above-mentioned drugs.
The HCT level in the blood can be decreased by the following ways:
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Disclaimer #2: This information is added only for informative purposes and collected from different sources across the Internet. Digit Insurance is not promoting or recommending anything here. Please verify the information before making any decisions.
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