Why is hct test done

No one likes to get pricked with a needle. However, an HCT test is one of those "worth the pain" tests. It's quick and easy and goes a long way in helping healthcare providers get a more complete picture of your overall health. The source of everyday problems such as fatigue or headaches might be revealed as simple anemia or a more serious blood disorder that needs immediate care. In either instance, one simple blood draw can make a huge difference.

Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Polycythemia Vera. American Cancer Society. Understanding Your Lab Test Results. Updated April 22, Comparison of manual hematocrit determinations versus automated methods for hematopoietic progenitor cell apheresis products. Seattle Children's Lab. Hematocrit Test. Updated March, 25 Your Privacy Rights.

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Interpreting Results. Hematocrit tests are important because they measure how many red blood cells someone has. Too many or too few red blood cells can indicate certain nutritional deficiencies or diseases that doctors will know how to identify.

During a hematocrit test, you can expect to have a sample of blood taken by a phlebotomist or another healthcare professional who can draw blood.

Getting your blood drawn can be uncomfortable, but most people only feel a light prick when the needle inserts the vein. If you need to have a hematocrit test done and know that you might get lightheaded, you can always ask to lie down while your blood sample is being taken.

A normal hematocrit level for women is For men, a normal range is The normal numbers vary a little from lab to lab. Hematocrit tests are generally pretty accurate. Test results help doctors diagnose their patients with the right health condition so they can give appropriate treatment. Here are some factors that commonly cause abnormally high or low hematocrit levels:.

If your doctor feels that your hematocrit levels may have been affected by something like dehydration, they may ask you to take the test again at a different time. Having low hematocrit levels, which is sometimes called anemia, often makes people feel under the weather. If you take a hematocrit test and your test results report low hematocrit levels, this means you have a lower percentage of red blood cells than you should. Many things can cause low hematocrit levels, which can indicate an underlying health condition like:.

Experiencing certain symptoms may indicate that you need a hematocrit test and that your hematocrit is high. High hematocrit levels could indicate underlying medical conditions like:. The hematocrit test, also known as a packed-cell volume PCV test, is a simple blood test. More Information Iron deficiency anemia. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Sandoval C.

Approach to the child with anemia. Accessed March 24, Schrier SL. Approach to the adult patient with anemia. Types of blood tests. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Tefferi A. Diagnostic approach to the patient with polycythemia. Hoffman R, et al. The polycythemias.