HEMATOCRIT

HEMATOCRIT

A hematocrit (he-MAT-uh-krit) test measures the proportion of red blood cells in your blood. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body. Having too few or too many red blood cells can be a sign of certain diseases.

The hematocrit test, also known as a packed-cell volume (PCV) test, is a simple blood test.

A hematocrit test is part of a complete blood count (CBC). Measuring the proportion of red blood cells in your blood can help your doctor make a diagnosis or monitor your response to a treatment.

A lower than normal hematocrit can indicate: 

• An insufficient supply of healthy red blood cells (anemia)
• A large number of white blood cells due to long-term illness, infection or a white blood   cell disorder such as leukemia or lymphoma 
• Vitamin or mineral deficiencies
• Recent or long-term blood loss

A higher than normal hematocrit can indicate: 

• Dehydration
• A disorder, such as polycythemia vera, that causes your body to produce too many  red blood cells
• Lung or heart disease