Hematocrit test

Overview:

A hematocrit test measures the amount of red blood cells in the body in the form of percentages.  The measurement is based on the size and the number of red blood cells. These cells transport oxygen across the body and any changes in their levels indicate a blood disorder and other health conditions.

The test is sometimes called the packed cell volume test. The difference between a hemoglobin and a hematocrit test is that the hemoglobin test measures the hemoglobin levels in the body which is a part of the red blood cells. While the hematocrit test gives the doctor the amount of red blood cells present in a person’s body.

When Does The Doctor Recommend The Test:

The doctor prescribes the hematocrit test for the following symptoms:

• Headache.
• Blood in the stools or in the vomit.
• Unexplained tiredness and weight loss.
• Unusually heavy blood flow during periods.
• Difficulty in concentration.
• Dizziness.
• Signs of malnutrition.

The test is also advised during pregnancy, during the treatment of cancer, and before and after surgery.

Which Conditions Does The Test Help Diagnose:

The hematocrit test helps the doctor monitor the levels of red blood cells in the person’s blood to make a diagnosis or check how the person is reacting to a certain treatment.

If the results show that the levels of red blood cells are low it indicates the following conditions in the body:

• The person has anemia and has insufficient red blood cells in the body.
• The person’s body doesn’t have adequate vitamins and minerals.
• The red blood cells in the person’s body may be dying earlier than usual.
• There has been a loss of blood in recent times or it has been long-term.
• The person may be suffering from leukemia where the leukemia cells replace the red blood cells.
• If a person has a thyroid condition they have fewer red blood cells in the body because the thyroid gland helps in the production of red blood cells.
• Anemia can also be a sign of a kidney problem in a person.
• The person could be having a condition called hyponatremia which indicates too much water in the body that dilutes the blood.

If the hematocrit test reveals high levels of red blood cells then, it indicates the following:

• The person has dehydration.
• The person may have a condition called polycythemia vera, a disorder in which the body makes excessive red blood cells.
• There are chances that the person may have a lung or a heart condition.
• The person may be residing in a high-altitude area like a mountain.
• There may be scarring or the thickening of lungs which makes it challenging for the red blood cells to transport oxygen to all parts of the body.
• The person may be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.
• There might be carbon monoxide poisoning in the body which affects the capillaries and reduces the amount of plasma in the blood while increasing the amount of red blood cells.
• A person with high testosterone levels has high amounts of red blood cells in the body.
• Smoking can also increase the red blood cell levels in the body.

The Test Procedure:

• The test doesn’t require any preparation such as fasting etc before the blood is drawn.
• The process of obtaining a blood sample for the hematocrit test is very quick and simple.
• The technician or the healthcare professional searches for a vein in the arm of the person to draw blood.
• The upper portion of the arm is wrapped with a tourniquet to build pressure in the veins making them easier to be identified.
• The area around the vein is cleaned with a disinfectant and a needle is inserted into the vein. It may sting mildly.
• The blood is collected in a tube or a syringe. Once the collection is done, the tourniquet is removed and the needle is pulled out.
• The technician may apply gentle pressure on the site where the needle is inserted to prevent bleeding.
• The site is covered with a bandage.
• Some people may experience mild dizziness after the test. However, the doctor should be informed if that happens.
• Most people can return to their normal schedule after the test.
• The doctor should be informed if the person is taking hormone therapy as that may influence the results. The normal ranges depend on the race, age, and gender of the person. Different laboratories have different ranges that they consider as normal.

The normal ranges for hematocrit levels are as mentioned below:

• For adult males, they are between 41%to 51%
• For adult females, they are between 36% to 44%
• For infants, they are between 32% to 42%
• For newborns, the levels are between 45% to 61%

The accuracy of the results may rely on a few factors and the results don’t always indicate that the person is sick or has a health condition.

The Factors On Which The Accuracy Of The Results Depends:

• Where the test was done. People living in high-altitude areas show high hematocrit levels.
• Dehydration also shows raised hematocrit levels.
• A pregnant woman may have low percentages of hematocrit levels.
• Loss of blood may decrease the levels while a blood transfusion which is recently done can increase the hematocrit levels.

If the doctor is uncertain about the results they may ask for a repeat test or prescribe other tests to confirm.

The Risks Involved In The Test:

The test is a simple procedure that has a very low chance of developing any complications or issues. However different people have different-sized veins and arteries which may make the process of taking blood easier for some and a little difficult for others.

Some of the risks involved in the procedure include:

• Too much bleeding.
• Feeling dizzy or fainting.
• Multiple insertions of needles to locate the veins.
• Hematoma which means the accumulation of blood beneath the skin.
• Infection where the needle is inserted especially if the skin is torn.

Conclusion:

The blood test results of a person may show higher or lower hematocrit levels. But this doesn’t always mean that a person may be having a serious health condition. A person must know that various factors influence the results of the test and the best way to interpret them would be to discuss them with the doctor.

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