Hematocrit (Hct)
Hematocrit measures the percentage of your blood that is made up of red blood cells. It helps assess your blood's ability to carry oxygen.
Category: Complete Blood Count
Also known as: hematocrit, haematocrit, hct, packed cell volume, pcv, hematokrit
Reference range: 38.3–48.6 % (Source: ABIM)
Standard unit: %
High values may indicate
High hematocrit may indicate dehydration, polycythemia vera, lung disease, or heart disease.
Low values may indicate
Low hematocrit may indicate anemia, blood loss, nutritional deficiencies, bone marrow problems, or chronic kidney disease.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a normal Hematocrit (Hct) level?
- A typical reference range for Hematocrit (Hct) is 38.3–48.6 % (source: ABIM). Reference ranges vary by laboratory, age, and sex, so always compare against the range on your own lab report.
- What units is Hematocrit (Hct) measured in?
- Hematocrit (Hct) is most commonly reported in %. Labs in different countries may use other units — you can convert between them with BloodId's blood test unit converter.
- Where do Hematocrit (Hct) reference ranges come from?
- BloodId uses ABIM standard reference ranges and educational information from MedlinePlus (see our methodology). Reference ranges still vary by lab, age, and sex, so always compare against your own report.
- Can I track Hematocrit (Hct) over time?
- Yes. Upload results from any lab and BloodId charts your Hematocrit (Hct) over time against its reference range, so you can see whether the trend is rising, falling, or stable.
Related biomarkers
Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
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