Friday, February, 10, 2012

Hematocrit (HCT)

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

HCT


Normal Values

Normal results vary, but in general are as follows:

  • Male: 40.7 - 50.3%
  • Female: 36.1 - 44.3%

Normal value ranges vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.


What abnormal results mean

Low hematocrit may be due to:

  • Anemia
  • Bleeding
  • Destruction of red blood cells
  • Leukemia
  • Malnutrition
  • Nutritional deficiencies of iron, folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6
  • Overhydration

High hematocrit may be due to:

  • Congenital heart disease
  • Cor pulmonale
  • Dehydration
  • Erythrocytosis
  • Low blood oxygen levels (hypoxia)
  • Pulmonary fibrosis
  • Polycythemia vera

Review Date: 02/09/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)