Hematocrit Testing: Purpose, Procedure, Normal Ranges, and Clinical Importance
Hematocrit testing is a commonly performed blood test that plays a crucial role in evaluating overall health and diagnosing various medical conditions. It measures the proportion of red blood cells (RBCs) in the blood and helps clinicians assess a person’s ability to transport oxygen throughout the body. Often included as part of a Complete Blood Count (CBC), hematocrit testing is simple, quick, and highly informative.
What Is Hematocrit?
Hematocrit (Hct) refers to the percentage of blood volume that is made up of red blood cells. Since red blood cells contain hemoglobin—the protein responsible for carrying oxygen—hematocrit levels provide insight into how efficiently oxygen is being delivered to tissues and organs.
For example, a hematocrit value of 42% means that 42% of the blood volume consists of red blood cells, while the remaining 58% includes plasma, white blood cells, and platelets.