HCT Blood Test For Anemia and Blood Diseases

A Hematocrit (HCT) Blood Test or packed-cell volume (PCV) Blood lab test determines the percentage of the blood that is composed of Red blood cells (RBCs). RBCs carry oxygen throughout your body. Having too few or too many red blood cells can be a sign of certain diseases.

 

HCT Blood Test

Also Known As	HCT Test, Hematocrit Test, also known as a packed-cell volume (PCV) test
Type	Blood Test
Purpose	Check RBC Percentage in Blood
Sample Type	Blood
Preparation	No Special Preparation Required
Fasting	No
Gender	Unisex
Age-Group	All Ages
Normal Value	42% - 50% in Men and 37% - 42% in Women
Reporting Time	1 to 2 hours
Cost	80 - 350* INR

*Price range may vary as per location, lab type, and procedure of lab test.

 

HCT Blood Test Full Form

Full Form of HCT Blood Test is Hematocrit Blood Test.

 

HCT Blood Test Purpose

Here is some purpose of the HCT blood test or PCV Blood test:

• The HCT blood test is used to evaluate the percentage of red blood cells (RBCs) in your blood.
• This information can be used to diagnose and monitor a variety of medical conditions, including anemia, polycythemia, and dehydration.
• The HCT blood test is often ordered as part of a complete blood count (CBC) test and can provide important information about the overall health and function of your blood.
• The HCT blood test may also be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatments for certain blood disorders, such as polycythemia vera.
• By measuring the percentage of RBCs in your blood, the HCT blood test can help healthcare providers assess your risk of certain health conditions and make informed decisions about your medical care.

 

 

HCT Blood Test Preparation

Here are some points to explain the preparation for, during, and after an HCT blood test:

 

Before the test:

• In most cases, no special preparation is needed for an HCT blood test.
• Your healthcare provider may ask you to avoid eating or drinking anything except water for a certain period of time before the test, especially if other blood tests are being done at the same time.

 

During the test:

• An HCT blood test is a simple blood draw, typically performed in a healthcare provider's office or lab.
• A healthcare professional will use a needle to draw a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm.
• You may feel a slight pinch or prick when the needle is inserted, but the test is usually quick and relatively painless.

 

After the test:

• After the blood is drawn, a healthcare professional will apply pressure to the site to stop any bleeding and may cover the site with a bandage.
• You can typically resume your normal activities immediately after the test.
• If you experience any bleeding, bruising, or other unusual symptoms at the site of the blood draw, contact your healthcare provider right away.

 

HCT Blood Test Procedure

Here are some bullet points to explain the procedure for an HCT blood test or PCV Blood test:

• An HCT blood test is a simple blood draw that typically takes a few minutes to complete.
• A healthcare professional will use a needle to draw a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm, usually from the inside of your elbow.
• Before the needle is inserted, the healthcare professional will clean the area with an antiseptic and may apply a tourniquet to make the vein more visible.
• You may feel a slight pinch or prick when the needle is inserted, but the procedure is usually quick and relatively painless.
• Once the blood is drawn, the needle will be removed and pressure will be applied to the site to stop any bleeding.
• A bandage may be placed over the site to protect it and prevent any further bleeding.
• The blood sample will be sent to a lab for analysis, and you will typically receive the results within a few days.

 

HCT Blood Test Report

HCT Blood Test Report PDF

 

HCT Blood Test Normal Report

HCT Blood Normal Test Report PDF Format

HCT Blood Test Normal Result Report PDF

 

HCT Blood Test Abnormal Report

HCT Blood Abnormal Test Report PDF Format

HCT Blood Test Abnormal Result Report PDF

 

HCT Blood Test Normal Range

Here is the normal range for Hematrocit Blood Test or HCT Blood Test or PCV Blood test.

Sex	Reference Range
Male	42% to 50%
Female	37% to 42%

 

HCT Blood Test Interpretation

Here are interpreting HCT blood test or PCV Blood test results:

HCT Blood Test or PCV Blood test Results	Interpretation
Less than 37% for women, less than 42% for men	Indicates anemia or blood loss
Greater than 50%	Indicates dehydration or other conditions such as polycythemia vera
Between 37-42% for women, between 42-50% for men	The normal range for most healthy adults
Varies depending on age, sex, and other factors	Interpretation may vary depending on individual factors and should be discussed with a healthcare provider

Please note that this is just an example and HCT blood test or PCV Blood test interpretation may vary depending on the specific reference range used by the lab and other factors. It is important to discuss your individual results with a healthcare provider.

 

Specimen Requirments For HCT Blood Test

Here are the specimen requirements for HCT Test.

Specimen	Whole blood
Volume	3 mL
Container	Lavender-top (K2 EDTA) tube

 

HCT Blood Test High

Here are the causes of high HCT blood test or PCV Blood test results:

High HCT Blood Test or High PCV Blood test Results	Possible Causes
Dehydration	Lack of fluids in the body
Polycythemia vera	Bone marrow disorder that produces too many red blood cells
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)	Lung disease that limits oxygen intake
Congenital heart disease	Birth defects that affect heart function
Living at a high altitude	Lower oxygen levels can stimulate the production of red blood cells
Certain medications	Such as testosterone or erythropoietin (EPO), which stimulate red blood cell production
Smoking	Carbon monoxide in cigarettes can increase red blood cell production

Please note that this is just an example and there may be other possible causes of high HCT blood test results. It is important to discuss your individual results with a healthcare provider.

 

HCT Blood Test High Symptoms

Here are possible symptoms of high HCT blood test or PCV Blood test results:

High HCT Blood Test or High PCV Blood test Results	Possible Symptoms
Dehydration	Thirst, dry mouth, fatigue, dizziness, dark urine
Polycythemia vera	Headaches, dizziness, fatigue, blurred vision, shortness of breath
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)	Shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, chronic cough
Congenital heart disease	Shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, fainting
Living at high altitude	Headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness
Certain medications	Depending on the medication and dosage, may include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, or other side effects
Smoking	Chest pain, shortness of breath, cough, wheezing

 

HCT Blood Test Low

Here is an example table format for the causes of low HCT blood test results:

Low HCT Blood Test or Low PCV Blood test Results	Possible Causes
Anemia	Low levels of red blood cells or hemoglobin
Blood loss	Due to injury, surgery, or gastrointestinal bleeding
Nutritional deficiencies	Such as iron, vitamin B12, or folate deficiencies
Kidney disease	Decreased production of erythropoietin (EPO)
Bone marrow disorders	Such as leukemia, lymphoma, or myelodysplastic syndrome
Chronic inflammation	Such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease
Hormonal imbalances	Such as hypothyroidism or adrenal insufficiency
Pregnancy	Blood volume increases during pregnancy, causing a dilutional effect on red blood cells

Please note that this is just an example and there may be other possible causes of low HCT blood test results. It is important to discuss your individual results with a healthcare provider.

 

HCT Blood Test Low Symptoms

Here are possible symptoms of low HCT blood test results:

Low HCT Blood Test or Low PCV Blood test Results	Possible Symptoms
Anemia	Fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, pale skin
Blood loss	Weakness, dizziness, pale skin, rapid heartbeat
Nutritional deficiencies	Fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, pale skin, brittle nails
Kidney disease	Fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, swelling in the legs
Bone marrow disorders	Fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, increased susceptibility to infections
Chronic inflammation	Fatigue, weakness, joint pain, fever
Hormonal imbalances	Fatigue, weakness, weight gain or loss, dry skin, hair loss
Pregnancy	Fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness

 

HCT Blood Test Is Safe?

• The HCT blood test or PCV Blood test is generally considered safe.
• It is a common blood test that is routinely performed in healthcare settings.
• The test has a low risk of complications.
• However, there is a small risk of infection, bleeding, or bruising at the site where the needle was inserted.
• It is important to follow any pre-test instructions provided by your healthcare provider and inform them of any medications or health conditions you have that may affect the test results or your safety during the procedure.

 

When Do You Get HCT Blood Test Results?

• The time it takes to receive HCT blood test results may vary depending on the healthcare facility and laboratory processing the test.
• In general, it can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to receive the results.
• Your healthcare provider will typically inform you of when and how to expect to receive your results.
• If the HCT blood test was done as part of a routine check-up, your healthcare provider may contact you if the results are abnormal or if further testing is needed.
• If the HCT blood test was done to monitor a specific medical condition or treatment, your healthcare provider will likely discuss the results with you during your next appointment.

 

HCT Blood Test Limitation

Here are some possible limitations of the HCT Blood Test.

• May be affected by hydration status and fluid imbalances.
• Cannot differentiate between different causes of anemia.
• Limited in assessing overall blood cell characteristics or health.

 

HCT Blood Test Risk Factors

Here is the potential risk factor of the HCT Blood Test.

• Risk of infection or bleeding at the site of blood draw.
• Potential for discomfort or pain during the blood draw procedure.
• Possibility of lightheadedness or fainting during or after the procedure.

 

Doctor Recommendations After HCT Blood Test Result

Here are Doctor recommendations or consult a specialist after HCT Blood Test.

HCT Result	Doctor to Visit	Reason
High	Hematologist	Potential blood disorders
Normal	General Physician	Routine health assessment
Low	General Physician	Possible anemia or other conditions

 

HCT Blood Test Price

Here are the estimated HCT Blood Test Price in India with different top cities:

City	Price Range (INR)*
Mumbai	80 - 350
New Delhi	100 - 350
Bangalore	100 - 350
Hyderabad	100 - 350
Kolkata	80 - 350
Pune	100 - 350
Lucknow	80 - 350
Noida	100 - 350
Surat	80 - 350
Gurugram	100 - 350
Patna	100 - 350
Chennai	100 - 350
Jaipur	100 - 350
Ahmedabad	80 - 350

*Prices are approximate and vary depending on a specific laboratory or healthcare facility.

 

Summary

Overall, the HCT blood test measures the percentage of red blood cells in your blood and is used to diagnose and monitor various medical conditions. Also check Drlogy Test for detailed information about all medical tests for patients, doctors, scholers and medical students.

 

Reference

• Hematocrit Test: What It Is, Levels, High & Low Range [1].
• Hematocrit Levels | HCT Blood Test For Blood Cancer [2].