Skip to Main Content

Hematocrit

Definition

Hematocrit is a blood test that measures how much of a person's blood is made up of red blood cells. This measurement depends on the number of and size of the red blood cells.

Alternative Names

HCT

How the Test is Performed

A blood sample is needed.

How to Prepare for the Test

No special preparation is necessary for this test.

How the Test will Feel

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away.

Why the Test is Performed

The hematocrit is almost always done as part of a complete blood count (CBC).

Your health care provider may recommend this test if you have signs of or are at risk for anemia. These include having:

  • Before and after major surgery
  • Blood in your stools, or vomit (if you throw up)
  • Chronic medical problems, such as kidney disease or certain types of arthritis
  • During pregnancy
  • Fatigue, poor health, or unexplained weight loss
  • Headaches
  • Heavy menstrual periods
  • Leukemia or other problems in the bone marrow
  • Monitoring during treatment for cancer
  • Monitoring medicines that may cause anemia or low blood counts
  • Monitoring of anemia and its cause
  • Poor nutrition
  • Problems concentrating

Normal Results

Normal results vary, but in general they are:

  • Male: 40.7% to 50.3%
  • Female: 36.1% to 44.3%

For babies, normal results are:

  • Newborn: 45% to 61%
  • Infant: 32% to 42%

The examples above are common measurements for results of these tests. Normal value ranges vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Low hematocrit may be due to:

  • Anemia
  • Bleeding
  • Bone marrow being unable to produce new red blood cells. This may be due to leukemia, other cancers, drug toxicity, radiation therapy, infection, or bone marrow disorders 
  • Chronic illness
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Destruction of red blood cells (hemolysis)
  • Leukemia
  • Malnutrition
  • Too little iron, folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 in the diet
  • Too much water in the body

High hematocrit may be due to:

  • Bone marrow disease that causes abnormal increase in red blood cells (polycythemia vera)
  • Congenital heart disease
  • Exposure to high altitude
  • Failure of the right side of the heart
  • Low levels of oxygen in the blood
  • Scarring or thickening of the lungs
  • Too little water in the body (dehydration)

Risks

There is little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:

  • Excessive bleeding
  • Fainting or feeling lightheaded
  • Multiple punctures to locate veins
  • Hematoma (blood buildup under the skin)
  • Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

References

Chernecky CC, Berger BJ. H. Hematocrit blood. In: Chernecky CC, Berger BJ, eds. Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures. 6th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:620-621.

Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM. Blood disorders. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 124.

Means RT. Approach to the anemias. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 149.

Vajpayee N, Graham SS, Bem S. Basic examination of blood and bone marrow. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 31.

Review Date: 01/09/2022

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright ©2019 A.D.A.M., Inc., as modified by University of California San Francisco. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Information developed by A.D.A.M., Inc. regarding tests and test results may not directly correspond with information provided by UCSF Health. Please discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have.

Share