Hematocrit Test: Why is it done and how to prepare for it?

The hematocrit test can be best defined as a blood test that measures the percentage (or count) of red blood cells in your blood. It should be noted that these cells are predominantly responsible for carrying oxygen to different parts of your body, so having an abnormal amount could be indicative of certain health conditions. This test can also be referred to as a 'packed-cell volume' (PCV) test in medical terms.

Why is a hematocrit (or packed-cell volume) test performed?

A hematocrit, or PCV, test is, in most cases, performed as an indispensable part of a complete blood count (CBC). Measuring the proportion (or ratio) of healthy red blood cells in your blood via this test can allow your doctor to more accurately diagnose your condition or monitor your response to any treatment being provided to you. 

A hematocrit (or the ratio of red blood cells in your blood) that is lower or higher than normal may indicate one or more underlying health conditions, such as:

• Anemia (or an inadequate count of red blood cells that are healthy)
• A white blood cell disorder (which may include lymphoma and leukemia, among others)
• Mineral or vitamin deficiencies
• Dehydration
• Blood loss (recent or long-term)
• Bone marrow problems
• Lung or heart disease

How should I get myself ready for a hematocrit test?

A hematocrit blood test is a very simple and common blood test. This test is predominantly used to measure the amount (or number) of red blood cells in a sample of blood. Furthermore, it must be noted that no fasting or other special preparations are needed prior to this test.

A PCV (or hematocrit) test is usually conducted by a technician or a nurse in a blood lab or a clinic. 'Hematocrit,' as already mentioned above, is the percentage (or ratio) of the total blood volume that is occupied by red blood cells. Red blood cells are simply meant for carrying essential nutrients and oxygen to the tissues of the (human) body.

A normal (or healthy) person's hematocrit mostly ranges from 38 to 50.

What should a person expect during a hematocrit test?

A hematocrit or PCV test requires a blood sample, which is customarily drawn with the help of a needle from a vein in one of the patient's arms. The patient may feel some kind of tenderness at the site (or in the vein) where the needle was inserted, but they will be able to resume their normal activities shortly after blood is drawn. That said, it's important to keep the area where the needle was inserted clean and covered until it's completely healed so that you don't end up developing an infection.

How should the results be perceived?

Your hematocrit test results will be reported as a percentage of the volume of your blood that is composed of red blood cells. Normal ranges can differ based on race, age, and gender. Apart from these factors, the definition of a 'normal' red blood cell percentage can also differ from one medical practitioner or healthcare provider to the next.

Be that as it may, a normal hematocrit range is, by most healthcare facilities, considered to be:

• For men (or males): 38.3 to 48.6 percent
• For women (or females): 35.5 to 44.9 percent

Also note: The normal hematocrit range for children ages 17 and younger varies by their gender and precise age.

What should be the next step?

Your hematocrit test is only one way to get a fix on your health. So you should never come to a conclusion without discussing your test results with your doctor, who will be taking into account the symptoms you are experiencing as well as the results of other diagnostic tests before coming up with a solution or ultimate treatment plan.

Can the results of a hematocrit test be inaccurate?

Your hematocrit test can be influenced by a variety of factors, which can lead to inaccurate results in some cases. These include:

• Living at a high altitude
• Pregnancy
• Significant recent blood loss
• Recent blood transfusion
• Severe dehydration

Having said that, your doctor will interpret the results of your hematocrit test, taking into account any potentially complicating factors. If your results show conflicting or unexpected information, the doctor may want to repeat the hematocrit test and do other blood tests for a more accurate diagnosis of your individual condition.

Conclusion

All in all, the hematocrit (or PCV) test is a very common and simple kind of test that is predominantly used to examine a person's blood. This test can be used to help determine if a person has anemia, polycythemia, an iron deficiency, or other similar blood disorders. The hematocrit test is also used to measure the blood volume of a person who is receiving blood or blood plasma.

Furthermore, we hope this article gave you the information you needed on the topic of the hematocrit test. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're always happy to help you in every way possible!