The Hemoglobin and Hematocrit test contains 1 test with 2 biomarkers.
Description: A Hemoglobin (Hgb) test is a blood test that measures the amount of hemoglobin your red blood cells contain.
The Hematocrit test is a blood test used to measure the percentage of red blood cells in your blood, usually for determining anemia.
Also Known As: HCT Test, Crit Test, Packed Cell Volume Test, PCV Test, Hb Test, Hgb Test
Collection Method: Blood Draw
Specimen Type: Whole Blood
Test Preparation: No preparation required
Average Processing Time: 1 to 2 days
When is a Hemoglobin and Hematocrit test ordered?
A full blood count usually includes a hematocrit measurement. It can also be ordered as part of a general health assessment, either by itself or in conjunction with a hemoglobin level. When a person develops signs and symptoms of a disorder that affects RBCs, such as anemia or polycythemia, these tests are frequently done.
When someone has signs and symptoms of severe dehydration, such as intense thirst, dry mouth or mucous membranes, and a lack of perspiration or urination, a hematocrit may be requested.
When someone has been identified with recurrent bleeding difficulties, anemia, or polycythemia, this test may be repeated numerous times or on a regular basis to check the success of treatment. It may also be ordered on a regular basis for persons receiving therapy for cancers that affect the bone marrow.
The hemoglobin test may be requested as part of a general health assessment or when a person exhibits signs and symptoms of a red blood cell disorder such as anemia or polycythemia.
When someone has been diagnosed with recurrent bleeding difficulties, chronic anemias, or polycythemia, this test may be done numerous times or on a regular basis to check the effectiveness of treatment. It's also possible that it'll be ordered on a regular basis for those having therapy for cancers that are known to harm the bone marrow.
What does a Hemoglobin and Hematocrit blood test check for?
A hematocrit is a test that determines the percentage of red blood cells in a person’s blood. RBCs, white blood cells, and platelets are suspended in plasma, a fluid component of blood. The hematocrit is a ratio that compares the volume of red blood cells to the volume of all of these components together, which is known as whole blood. A percentage or fraction is used to express the value. A hematocrit of 40%, for example, indicates that there are 40 milliliters of red blood cells per 100 milliliters of blood.
The hematocrit is a quick and easy approach to assess a person’s red blood cells and screen for disorders like anemia. It’s frequently done in conjunction with a hemoglobin level, and it’s also a part of a complete blood count, which is commonly used to assess a person’s overall health.
RBCs are made in the bone marrow and discharged into the bloodstream when they are fully mature or almost so. They normally constitute about 37 to 49 percent of the blood volume. Hemoglobin, a protein that binds to oxygen, is found in RBCs. RBCs’ main job is to transport oxygen from the lungs to the body’s tissues and organs. They also transfer a little amount of carbon dioxide from tissues and organs back to the lungs, where it is exhaled.
RBCs have a 120-day lifespan, and the bone marrow must constantly manufacture new RBCs to replace those that have aged and degraded or have been lost due to hemorrhage. A variety of disorders can impact the bone marrow’s ability to produce new RBCs or the longevity of those already in circulation, as well as cause substantial bleeding.
The hematocrit measures both the number and volume of red blood cells. The hematocrit will drop when the size of the RBCs decreases, and vice versa. In general, the hematocrit will rise as the number of red blood cells increases, and it will fall to less than normal when the number of RBCs produced by the bone marrow decreases, the number of RBCs destroyed increases, or blood is lost due to hemorrhage. The overall amount of RBCs and hematocrit will diminish if the bone marrow is unable to manufacture new RBCs quickly enough, resulting in anemia.
Anemia is a condition in which the body is unable to provide adequate oxygen to tissues and organs, resulting in weariness and weakness. Too many RBCs are created in polycythemia, and the blood thickens, causing sluggish blood flow and other complications.
Hemoglobin is an iron-containing protein found in all red blood cells, which gives them their distinctive red color. RBCs use hemoglobin to bind to oxygen in the lungs and transport it to tissues and organs all over the body. It also aids in the movement of a little amount of carbon dioxide, which is a byproduct of cell metabolism, from tissues and organs to the lungs, where it is exhaled.
The hemoglobin test determines how much hemoglobin is present in a person's blood sample. To swiftly assess an individual's red blood cells, a hemoglobin level can be used alone or in conjunction with a hematocrit, a test that assesses the fraction of blood made up of RBCs. Red blood cells, which account for roughly 40% of the amount of blood, are created in the bone marrow and released into the bloodstream when they are mature, or nearly so. RBCs have a 120-day lifespan, and the bone marrow must constantly manufacture new RBCs to replace those that have aged and degraded or have been lost due to hemorrhage.
RBCs, and thus the level of hemoglobin in the blood, can be affected by a variety of diseases and situations. When the quantity of red blood cells grows, the hemoglobin level and hematocrit both rise. When the synthesis of RBCs by the bone marrow decreases, RBC destruction increases, or blood is lost owing to hemorrhage, the hemoglobin level and hematocrit fall below normal. Anemia is a disorder in which the body's tissues and organs do not acquire enough oxygen, causing exhaustion and weakness. It is caused by a decline in RBC count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. Polycythemia occurs when the body produces too many RBCs, causing the blood to thicken, resulting in sluggish blood flow and other complications.
Lab tests often ordered with a Hemoglobin and Hematocrit test:
- RBC Count
- Blood Smear
- Iron Total
- Iron and Total Iron Binding Capacity
- Ferritin
- Reticulocyte Count
- Vitamin B12
- Folate
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- G6PD
- Erythropoietin
- Hemoglobinopathy Evaluation
Conditions where a Hemoglobin and Hematocrit test is recommended:
- Anemia
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Thalassemia
- Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
- Hemoglobin Abnormalities
- Bone Marrow Disorders
How does my health care provider use a Hemoglobin and Hematocrit test?
The hematocrit test is frequently used to diagnose anemia, usually in conjunction with a hemoglobin test or as part of a full blood count. The test can be used to detect, diagnose, or track a variety of illnesses and disorders that impact the amount of red blood cells in the blood. RBCs are red blood cells that circulate in the blood and transport oxygen throughout the body.
Some circumstances influence RBC formation in the bone marrow, resulting in an increase or decrease in the number of mature RBCs discharged into circulation. The longevity of RBCs in the circulation may be affected by other factors. The overall number of RBCs and hematocrit will diminish if there is increased destruction or loss of RBCs, and/or the bone marrow is unable to make new ones quickly enough, leading in anemia.
The hematocrit can tell if there's a problem with RBCs, but it can't tell what's causing it. A blood smear, reticulocyte count, iron studies, vitamin B levels, and, in more severe cases, a bone marrow examination are some of the other tests that may be conducted at the same time or as follow-up to establish a reason.
Anemia is commonly detected with a hemoglobin test in conjunction with a hematocrit or as part of a complete blood count. The test can be used to detect, diagnose, or track a variety of illnesses and disorders that impact red blood cells and/or hemoglobin levels in the blood. All red blood cells include hemoglobin, an iron-containing protein that allows RBCs to bind to oxygen in the lungs and transport it to tissues and organs throughout the body.
A hemoglobin test can be used for a variety of purposes, including:
- Anemia and polycythemia are diagnosed, diagnosed, and measured.
- Assess the patient's reaction to anemia or polycythemia treatment.
- If the anemia is severe, you can help make decisions about blood transfusions or other therapies.
Some factors influence RBC production in the bone marrow, resulting in an increase or decrease in the quantity of mature RBCs discharged into the bloodstream. The longevity of RBCs in the circulation can be influenced by a variety of factors. The overall amount of RBCs and hemoglobin will diminish if there is greater destruction of RBCs or loss of RBCs through bleeding, and/or the bone marrow is unable to make new ones quickly enough, leading in anemia.
This test can tell you if you have an issue with red blood cell production or longevity, but it can't tell you what's causing it. A blood smear, reticulocyte count, iron studies, vitamin B12 and folate levels, and, in more severe cases, a bone marrow examination are some of the other tests that may be conducted at the same time or as follow-up to establish a reason.
What do my Hematocrit and Hemoglobin test results mean?
Red blood cells make up between 37 percent to 49 percent of the total amount of blood.
Because a hematocrit is frequently performed as part of a complete blood count, other components including RBC count, hemoglobin, reticulocyte count, and/or red blood cell indices are taken into account. Other considerations include age, gender, and race. In general, the hematocrit reflects the RBC count and hemoglobin readings.
Anemia is diagnosed by a low hematocrit, low RBC count, and low hemoglobin.
Because hemoglobin levels are frequently measured as part of a complete blood count, the results of other components are taken into account. Hemoglobin levels must be interpreted in conjunction with other indicators such as RBC count, hematocrit, reticulocyte count, and/or red blood cell indices when they rise or fall. Other characteristics to consider are age, gender, and race. Hemoglobin reflects the RBC count and hematocrit results in general.
Anemia is defined as a low hemoglobin level combined with a low RBC count and a low hematocrit. Among the causes are:
- Excessive blood loss-as a result of severe trauma or continuous bleeding from the digestive tract, bladder, or uterus.
- Iron, folate, or B12 deficiency are examples of nutritional inadequacies.
- Toxins, radiation, chemotherapy, infection, and medicines can all cause damage to the bone marrow.
- Aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, or tumors of the bone marrow, such as leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, or other cancers of the bone marrow
- Renal failure—severe and chronic kidney illnesses cause the kidneys to produce less erythropoietin, a hormone that drives RBC synthesis in the bone marrow.
- Inflammatory diseases or disorders that last a long time
- Hemoglobin production is reduced.
- Excessive destruction of red blood cells, such as hemolytic anemia caused by autoimmunity or faults in the red blood cell itself, such as hemoglobinopathy, RBC membrane abnormalities, or RBC enzyme.
Polycythemia is defined as a high hemoglobin level combined with a high RBC count and hematocrit. Among the causes are:
- Lung disease-when a person's body is unable to breathe in and absorb enough oxygen. As a result, the body produces more red blood cells to compensate.
- Congenital heart disease—in some cases, an improper connection between the two sides of the heart occurs, resulting in lower blood oxygen levels. The body responds by creating extra red blood cells in an attempt to compensate.
- Excess erythropoietin-producing kidney tumors
- Hemoglobin levels in heavy smokers are higher than in nonsmokers.
- Genetic factors
- Having to live at a high altitude
- Dehydration causes hemoglobin to rise unnaturally when the volume of fluid in the blood declines.
- Polycythemia vera-a rare condition in which the body creates too many RBCs.
We advise having your results reviewed by a licensed medical healthcare professional for proper interpretation of your results.
