Hematocrit, also called Ht or Hct, is a laboratory parameter that indicates the percentage of red blood cells, also called red blood cells, erythrocytes or erythrocytes, in the total blood volume, being important for identifying and diagnosing certain situations, such as anemia, for example.
The value of hematocrit may also reflect the amount of hemoglobin present in red blood cells: when the hematocrit is low, this usually indicates a situation in which there is a decrease in the number of red blood cells or hemoglobin, such as anemia, for example.When high, it may indicate a low level of fluid in your blood, which can mean severe dehydration.
See also how to interpret hemoglobin values
Hematocrit reference values vary by laboratory, but the normal hematocrit value is generally:
The value of the hematocrit may vary from laboratory to laboratory and should be interpreted in conjunction with other parameters of the blood formula.Even when there is a small change in the value of the hematocrit, this does not necessarily mean a health problem and, therefore, the result must be interpreted by the doctor who ordered the scan, in order to make the diagnosis based on the analysis of the results of all the scans requested and the symptoms described by the person , so you can start treatment if necessary.understand the formula of blood.
Low hematocrit may indicate
During pregnancy, low hematocrit is often a sign of anemia, especially if hemoglobin and ferritin values are also low.Anemia during pregnancy is normal, however, it can be dangerous for the mother and baby if not treated properly.Learn more about anemia during pregnancy.
The increase in hematocrit can occur mainly by the decrease in the amount of water in the blood, with an apparent increase in the amount of red blood cells and hemoglobin, which is a consequence of dehydration.In addition, hematocrit may be increased in lung disease, congenital heart disease, low blood oxygen levels or polyglobulia, where there is an increase in production and therefore an excess of red blood cells.