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Why Get Tested?
To determine the proportion of your blood that is made up of red blood cells (RBCs) in order to screen for, help diagnose, or monitor conditions that affect RBCs; as part of a routine health examination or if your healthcare provider suspects that you have anemia or polycythemia
When To Get Tested?
With a test for hemoglobin or as part of a complete blood count (CBC) during a routine health exam or when you have signs and symptoms of anemia (weakness, fatigue) or polycythemia (dizziness, headache); at regular intervals to monitor a disorder that affects RBCs and to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment
Sample Type:
EDTA Whole Blood (Purple)
Fasting :
NO
Report Delivery:
Same day (if Collected before 12 Noon)
Components:
1 Observations

Tests Detail

Observations Included

Packed Cell Volume (PCV / HCT) *

The Test marked with (*) are in our NABL Scope.

Sample Report

Test Name	Packed Cell Volume (PCV)
Report Availability	Same day (if Collected before 12 Noon)
Code	H2045
Category	SR-Special Routine
Schedule	Daily
TAT*	0
Tested At*	NPL
Method	Cumulative Pulse Height Detection
Brief Description	For hematocrit and RBC mass evaluations

*Reporting TAT in days
for the samples recieved by 4PM

*0 = Same Day, 1 = Next Day, 2 = 2nd Day,
3 = 3rd Day So on from Schedule

*NPL : Tested @ nirAmaya Pathlabs
NRL : Tested @ NPL Outsource lab

Also Known As:
Hct Crit Packed Cell Volume PCV H and H (Hemoglobin and Hematocrit)
Formal Name:
Hematocrit
Sample Instructions:
A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm or by a fingerstick (children and adults) or heelstick (newborns)
Test Preparation Needed?
None
What Is Being Tested?
A hematocrit is a test that measures the proportion of a person's blood that is made up of red blood cells (RBCs). Blood consists of RBCs, white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets suspended in a fluid portion called plasma. The hematocrit is a ratio of the volume of red blood cells to the volume of all these components together, called whole blood. The value is expressed as a percentage or fraction. For example, a hematocrit value of 40% means that there are 40 milliliters of red blood cells in 100 milliliters of blood. The hematocrit is a fairly quick and simple way of evaluating a person's red blood cells and checking for conditions such as anemia. It is often performed in conjunction with a hemoglobin level and is also one component of the complete blood count (CBC), a test that is often used in the general evaluation of a person's health. RBCs are produced in the bone marrow and are released into the bloodstream when they are, or nearly are, mature. They typically make up roughly 37% to 49% of the volume of blood. RBCs contain hemoglobin, a protein that binds to oxygen. The primary function of RBCs is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and organs of the body. They also transport a small portion of carbon dioxide, a byproduct of cell metabolism, from tissues and organs back to the lungs, where it is expelled. The typical lifespan of an RBC is 120 days and the bone marrow must continually produce new RBCs to replace those that age and degrade or are lost through bleeding. A number of conditions can affect either the production of new RBCs by the bone marrow or the lifespan of those in circulation or that result in significant bleeding. The hematocrit reflects both the number of red blood cells and their volume (mean corpuscular volume or MCV). If the size of the RBCs decreases, so will the hematocrit and vice versa. In general, the hematocrit will rise when the number of red blood cells increases and the hematocrit will fall to less than normal when
How Is It Used?
The hematocrit test is often used to check for anemia, usually along with a hemoglobin test or as part of a complete blood count (CBC). The test may be used to screen for, diagnose, or monitor a number of conditions and diseases that affect the proportion of the blood made up of red blood cells (RBCs). RBCs circulate in the blood and carry oxygen throughout the body. (For more, see the "What is being tested?" section.) A hematocrit may be used to: Identify and evaluate the severity of anemia (low RBCs, low hemoglobin, low hematocrit) or polycythemia (high RBCs, high hemoglobin, high hematocrit) Monitor the response to treatment of anemia or polycythemia and other disorders that affect RBC production or lifespan Help make decisions about blood transfusions or other treatments if anemia is severe Evaluate dehydration Some conditions affect RBC production in the bone marrow and may cause an increase or decrease in the number of mature RBCs released into the blood circulation. Other conditions may affect the lifespan of RBCs in the circulation. If there is increased destruction of RBCs (hemolysis) or loss of RBCs (bleeding) and/or the bone marrow is not able to produce new ones fast enough, then the overall number of RBCs and hematocrit will drop, resulting in anemia. The hematocrit can indicate if there is a problem with RBCs, but it cannot determine the underlying cause. In addition to the full CBC, some other tests that may be performed at the same time or as follow up to establish a cause include a blood smear, reticulocyte count, iron studies, vitamin B12 and folate levels, and in more severe conditions, a bone marrow examination.
When Is It Ordered
The hematocrit is routinely ordered as a part of the complete blood count (CBC). It may also be ordered by itself or with a hemoglobin level as part of a general health examination. These tests are often ordered when a person has signs and symptoms of a condition affecting RBCs, such as anemia and polycythemia. Some signs and symptoms of anemia include: Weakness or fatigue Lack of energy Fainting Paleness (pallor) Shortness of breath Some signs and symptoms of polycythemia include: Disturbed vision Dizziness Headache Flushing Enlarged spleen A hematocrit may sometimes be ordered when someone has signs and symptoms of serious dehydration, such as extreme thirst, dry mouth or mucous membranes, and lack of sweating or urination. This test may be performed several times or on a regular basis when someone has been diagnosed with ongoing bleeding problems, anemia, or polycythemia to determine the effectiveness of treatment. It may also be ordered routinely for people undergoing treatment for cancer that is known to affect the bone marrow.
What Does The Test Result Mean?
Red blood cells (RBCs) typically make up roughly 37% to 49% of the volume of blood. Since a hematocrit is often performed as part of a complete blood count (CBC), results from other components, such as RBC count, hemoglobin, reticulocyte count, and/or red blood cell indices, are taken into consideration. Age, sex, and race are other factors to be considered. In general, the hematocrit mirrors the results of the RBC count and hemoglobin. A low hematocrit with low RBC count and low hemoglobin indicates anemia. Some causes include: Excessive loss of blood from, for example, severe trauma, or chronic bleeding from sites such as the digestive tract (e.g., ulcers, polyps, colon cancer), the bladder or uterus (in women, heavy menstrual bleeding, for example) Nutritional deficiencies such as iron, folate or B12 deficiency Damage to the bone marrow from, for example, a toxin, radiation or chemotherapy, infection or drugs Bone marrow disorders such as aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, or cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, or other cancers that spread to the marrow Kidney failure—severe and chronic kidney diseases lead to decreased production of erythropoietin, a hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates RBC production by the bone marrow. Chronic inflammatory diseases or conditions Decreased production of hemoglobin (e.g., thalassemia) Excessive destruction of red blood cells, for example, hemolytic anemia caused by autoimmunity or defects in the red blood cell itself; the defects could be hemoglobinopathy (e.g., sickle cell anemia), abnormalities in the RBC membrane (e.g., hereditary spherocytosis) or RBC enzyme (e.g., G6PD deficiency) A high hematocrit with a high RBC count and high hemoglobin indicates polycythemia. Some causes of a high hematocrit include: Dehydration—this is the most common cause of a high hematocrit. As the volume of fluid in the blood drops, the RBCs per volume of fluid artificia
Is There Anything Else I Should Known?
A recent blood transfusion will affect hematocrit results. Pregnancy usually causes slightly decreased hematocrit values due to extra fluid in the blood.

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