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hematocrit
Sign in to saveAlso known as HCT, Ht
The hematocrit () (Ht or HCT), also known by several other names, is the volume percentage (vol%) of red blood cells (RBCs) in blood, measured as part of a blood test. The measurement depends on the number and size of red blood cells. It is normally 40.7–50.3% for males and 36.1–44.3% for females. It is a part of a person's complete blood count results, along with hemoglobin concentration, white blood cell count and platelet count.
Key facts
- Diagnostic.Name
- Hematocrit
- Diagnostic.Image
- Illu blood components.svg
- Diagnostic.Caption
- Blood components
- Diagnostic.MeshID
- D006400
- Diagnostic.MedlinePlus
- 003646
via Wikipedia infobox
Research
61,849 papers- [Hematocrit].Vie medicale (Paris, France : 1920) · 1953
- Optimal hematocrit in an artificial microvascular network.Transfusion · 2017
- Point of care hematocrit and hemoglobin in cardiac surgery: a review.Perfusion · 2007
- Achieving target hematocrit in dialysis patients: new concepts in iron management.American journal of kidney diseases : the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation · 1997
- The clinical efficacy of higher hematocrit levels in children with chronic renal insufficiency and those undergoing dialysis.Seminars in nephrology · 2001
via PubMed
Wikidata facts
Show 2 more facts
- Commons category
- Hematocrit
- NCI Thesaurus ID
- C64796
via Wikidata · CC0
~11 min read
Article
9 sectionsContents
- Names
- Measurement methods
- Levels
- Shear rate relations
- Elevated
- Lowered
- See also
- References
- External links
The hematocrit () (Ht or HCT), also known by several other names, is the volume percentage (vol%) of red blood cells (RBCs) in blood, measured as part of a blood test. The measurement depends on the number and size of red blood cells. It is normally 40.7–50.3% for males and 36.1–44.3% for females. It is a part of a person's complete blood count results, along with hemoglobin concentration, white blood cell count and platelet count.
Because the purpose of red blood cells is to transfer oxygen from the lungs to body tissues, a blood sample's hematocrit—the red blood cell volume percentage—can become a point of reference of its capability of delivering oxygen. Hematocrit levels that are too high or too low can indicate a blood disorder, dehydration, or other medical conditions. An abnormally low hematocrit may suggest anemia, a decrease in the total amount of red blood cells, while an abnormally high hematocrit is called polycythemia. Both are potentially life-threatening disorders.